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How do you handle disappointment? For me I don’t like the feelings that come with life not going the way I want it to go. I must confess that I like being a winner and hence losing causes me to do some serious examination of my life. I suppose that is the good about disappointments. But I still struggle with life handing me some lemons.
I wonder how others face their failures. I even wonder if others think about them as much as I do. I suppose I am too egotistical in this regard. The fear of failing has stopped me from even attempting some things. But there are those times I have put it on the line and tasted both victory and defeat. But I want (I hope it is not a need) to win more than I lose.
And how does all of this fit in with my being a disciple of Jesus? What did He teach of this subject? What did He think of disappointments? As you can see I have more questions than answers. Today I just wonder about disappointments that come to us all.
I am getting ready to be gone for a few days. I am not sure where I am going or what I am going to be doing. But I am positive that I am taking most of next week off as some vacation time. I really don’t have any plans in place. I am thinking Phyllis and I will bike ride somewhere. We have mentioned several different places. Phyllis and I have also thought of looking around at some back roads in Southern Illinois. Let me repeat, nothing has been planned.
This situation has me a bit concerned. I usually like to have things planned out. Hence, I am a bit nervous about next week but as I reflect on it I think I will be ok. It may actually be a very good thing. I usually am living by a calendar and trying to get everything done on schedule. Could next week teach me there is a different way of living? I may find out. Whatever happens I know I am going to enjoy time with my spouse and away to reflect on life in a much broader way.
Sundays are a very busy day for me. Trying to stay focused on the sermon is a lot like tight rope walking. There are unusual happenings like the air conditioner is not working properly and then there is information that comes my way like my aunt is in the hospital. I try to keep it all straight and make it through it all. So, one would think Mondays would be a day to relax but it is a very difficult day for me in many ways.
It is Mondays that I sort through all that happened on Sunday. I try to make contact with those who I have learned are ill or hurting in other ways. This may require some detail fact finding. Then there are little things like a person lost a cell phone at church and has anyone seen it? Of course there is the one who noticed something no right on Sunday and those issues need to be looked into further.
But in the back of my mind I spend time evaluating how Sunday went. Did I preach too long? Was the sermon true to God’s Word? What about that family I haven’t seen for a few Sundays? Do I need to make contact? On and on it goes. Hence Mondays are emotionally draining for me.
I say all of this to make the point that only God can give me the correct way of looking at my Monday issues. Only God can help me to see life and my work in the church as it needs to be seen. So, I ask you again to pray for me that I will be in listening to God and allowing Him to lead me.
Being a person who enjoys order I make a list of things I wish to get done before the week is over. Mondays usually find me going over that list and making final plans to carry it out. This list not only helps me get things done but also gives me a sense of accomplishment when it is completed. I find the list method a good one for me. However, this approach to life has one serious drawback. Life does not always go along with my list. I get some interruptions that force me to redo my list. For example as I am writing these words the phone rings. Someone is having surgery today and they were not on my list. Now I have to redo what I am doing today and this could mean that something on the list has to wait.
Interruptions can be a source of concern. They can even bother us and cause us to lose some joy. But God is into interruptions. Sometimes He interrupts us and gets our attention. There are times He stops us dead in our tracks and forces us to look at where we are and where we are going. Sometimes He surprises us with an moment of grace and love and we sit amazed that the interruption was so good. Maybe life is more in the interruptions than in the plans. I need to think more about this and be more open to God’s Spirit which calls us out of the routine and into new ways of living and acting.
Today I am writing this as I ride in a car. Don’t worry about an accident my spouse is driving. I am on my way to my hometown. We are meeting my son and then spending some time visiting with my family. It will be my first visit since my dad’s death. Going back brings back many memories. My hometown has not changed much and yet my dad no longer lives there. It is difficult for me to comprehend it yet. So today has many feelings for me.
In the midst of my varied thoughts I cling to the many joys that are all round me. My spouse is driving and she provides me this space to write and think and grow. My son is going to meet me in my hometown and he will bring with him more than just conversation. As I see the road signs pass me by I am reminded that life goes by fast. But in the midst of this short fast lived life there are some many blessings and joys. I am grateful that my dad lived as long as he did. I am so happy that he left me a legacy of love and devotion to family and Go.
During the month of August our Church I am asking our church to be positive. Being positive starts with positive thoughts. Join me in traveling down memory lane and seeing all the great people and experiences that have blessed your life. And yes, think on the good and best.