Dealing with Disappointment Part 2 of 3

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The second trial came last week. We discovered that the box of Christmas gifts we sent to family in NC did not arrive in tact. In fact 2/3 of the gifts were missing. This was a huge disappointment and we were both really upset. I cried. I don't know for certain what happened, but just the fact that they are gone really stinks. 

It was hard to swallow and I certainly shot off an email to the post office customer service as fast as I could. Then when my anger subsided and I took in the situation a sadness settled over me. What now? And this is what we came up with....we praise God. We are still blessed. We have wonderful families who wouldn't care even if we couldn't replace the gifts. We have our health and shelter and clothes. We are never hungry. We have so much, so much, so much. Things can be replaced. It's a set back, but not the end of the world, not even close. It's not God's fault. He allowed it, sure. Why? I don't know. But he also allowed us to eat dinner last night and the night before. He allowed me to crawl into my wonderfully warm bed while some barely have a mat to call their own. Why? I don't know. I don't have all the answers but I know three truths that have come to mind as I have been fighting these disappointing times. I will share one today and two tomorrow.

The first thing I thought of when I was upset and wanting to blame God was the passage in John 6:66-68. When Jesus teaches some difficult passages and many disciples turn away. He turns to the 12 disciples and asks them, "Do you want to go away as well?" And I felt like God was asking me, "Do you want to turn your back on me?" And like Peter my response was the same, "Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life." I may not understand God's ways, in fact it's pretty certain that none of us truly do most times, but I believe He is who He says He is. And He is good and He is love and He has truly never let me down. I have nothing else to cling to besides Jesus. So no matter what happens in life, no matter how many disappointments or how great the sorrow my response will always be, "Lord, to who else would I go?" 

Come back tomorrow for the final post to hear what else God has been teaching me through these situations. 

Dealing with Disappointment Part 1 of 3

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Disappointment is no fun. Getting your hopes up, dreaming and then facing reality can be extremely daunting and uncomfortable. And we all know, this life can be pretty disappointing at times. I feel like this past month I have been living in that disappointment, not understanding what God is doing, and yet... walk with me. 

It all began with John's job hunt. He's been looking to get into the school system as an aide, with little success so far. Then he got a call, an interview. It went well. It was close to home, with good hours and pay and benefits. It was so enticing and we were both so hopeful. It seemed like maybe, this was what God had for us. A second interview, our hopes soared. We dreamed of what we could do if he got the job in short term and long term. And then...no. He didn't get it. 

I was so disappointed. I was frustrated and confused and wondering if we did something wrong, wondering what God is doing. In essence I found myself back in the Garden of Eden question God's goodness. I could hear the lies being whispered in my ear from the serpent, "God doesn't really love you. If he did, he wouldn't withhold this job from you."  Is God only good when he gives me what I want? That seems like a toddler version of God and I know it's not true. I had to remind myself of God's goodness. I had to remind myself that trust is hardest when you can't see the way. But I know that He is trustworthy, and I do trust his goodness. I had to remind myself also of how blessed we are. We really had nothing to be upset about. 

Does that mean I wasn't still disappointed? No. I was, but my perspective shifted and I was trusting the best that I could. Come back tomorrow to read about the second situation I found myself in. 

Advent Week 2 Verses

Advent Wreath by Petr Kratochvil 

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Grace to fail

Blogging everyday has been my goal. I have been pretty successful thus far at blogging every week day. Until Monday, and today because I don't think you can really count this post. I've had a few rough mornings. I've failed.

Many times in the past I would beat myself up over that and give up. I guess I just can't do it. It's too much. Instead I am choosing to give myself grace to fail. No big deal. Just get back up and keep going. It's going to happen. I will fail. Life happens. Things come up. I will do my best and that has to be good enough.

What areas of life do you need to give yourself grace to fail?

Book Review: Christmas at Harringtons

Image Credit

Christmas at Harringtons
by Melody Carlson

I have been trying to read all things Christmas this season and I came across this free e-book in the last few weeks. I am not a huge Christmas novel fan, but I figured I would give it a shot. It is the season after all, and I'm no Scrooge. So I downloaded it.

I started reading it yesterday on my lunch break and was able to finish it by bedtime last night. It was an easy read for sure. But I also found it very enjoyable and unexpected!

The storyline is certainly unique. A woman who just gets out of prison is befriended on the bus trip as she heads out in hopes of starting over with life. Beginning with that trip, nothing happens quite as she imagines, but she finds her faith again and the truth is revealed and proclaimed in more than one way.

Much like Les Miserables it deals with the issue of forgiveness and second chances. Is a criminal always a criminal? We are so quick to judge without knowing all the facts, or even when we do, we still judge. You will think twice about how you would respond to the situation that arises.

Overall, good simple read with a good message!

Book Review: The Winter Letter

The Winter Letter
by Dustan Stanley


On his thirteenth birthday Will receives a strange letter from a king. The letter is full of nonsense, so he figures it’s a prank, but then there are three knocks on his front door. By the next day his entire world has fallen apart and the strange letter makes perfect sense.

Near the closing, the letter reads: Tomorrow, get on the 3:30 train. Go south. Get off at sunset and walk deep into the eastern woods. Knock on the door of the only house you come across...

Did this so-called king know what was going to happen beforehand or did he orchestrate the ordeal himself? Will must know, so he sets out on an epic journey that takes him to a world full of magic and war, with new friends and new enemies. In the end he comes face to face with the one responsible. His life will never be the same.

Lovers of simple fantasy with deep meaning, such as The Chronicles of Narnia and A Wrinkle in Time, will fall full into this simple story based on the deeper truths of love, hope, and faith!

The summary above is from the author's website. I finished this book this week and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It definitely had a "Narnia-esque" feel to it. A great fantasy adventure for kids that is sprinkled with some great spiritual truths. I am ready for book two!

Advent Week 1 Verses

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10-11