Disappointment
The other day I was expecting my daughter and family to come over and spend the day with me. Unfortunately, she texted that she had tested positive for Covid and could not come. I was very disappointed as this was the second weekend in a row she couldn’t make it due to illnesses. Then I got to thinking about how my disappointment was actually a result of my wanting to control things. I had made big plans for the day. We were going to go to a new place downtown and check it out. Maybe have some chicken and rice or hamburgers for dinner. We were going to laugh and just generally have a great day.
“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”Proverbs 16:9 NIV
The problem with my disappointment wasn’t that I was sad about the day being called off. That is a normal response. What isn’t normal is that my first thought was of what I wanted and had planned. Instead of being concerned about the health of my loved one and those in her household, I was worried about my day being ruined.
“I must keep my magic magnifying mind on my acceptance and off my expectations, for my serenity is directly proportional to my level of acceptance.” BB 4th edition pg 420
Typically disappointment comes when other people, places, and/or things do not behave as we expect them to. It is funny how it turns out that I have no control over people places and things. Situations arise that I am unable to change. It also turns out that no one, but I know the script that is in my mind and the roles the others must play.
“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV
The good news is that by letting it go, knowing that I do not have to be in control of all the things and all the people, I can learn to live a peaceful life and accept those things I can’t change. By doing so, I can minimize my disappointments in life and view them as just a thing that happened.
