Options

Have you ever planned a day for yourself? I have.
First, I make myself a latte. Then, I fill a bag with my journal, reading glasses, books, and pens. But then.
What about going on a trip? You envision this trip filled with beautiful sights, time spent with the person you are going with, intimate interactions, peace, and doing everything you had on your list to do, but then. What about having a quiet evening at home? You have it all planned out. You have the stage set. You have all the pieces mapped out in your mind, but then. What about raising a family? You create what it will look like in your mind. There will be the perfect spouse, perfectly well-behaved children, no triggers, drama, horror, temper tantrums, amazing sensitive in-laws, but then.
Life: If only life could be how I want or plan it! 1+1 = 2
When was the last time you planned or created something only to have the plan squashed by an interruption, unmet expectation, or distraction and then informed by disappointment that it didn't happen as you thought it would?
Disappointment: The sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

I am learning to recognize disappointment. If I'm not careful, I can easily get snagged and swept under by the wave of disappointment and held under it. Life can feel hopeless before it gets to a level of consciousness. It becomes a gift once I recognize it. Disappointment allows me to see what's in my heart. I get to see disappointment and deal with it.
I remember an assignment a counselor gave me several years ago. She asked me to buy some magazines, a blank poster board, a glue stick and scissors.
She said, "I want you to go through the magazines and tear out pictures that catch your attention. Then, I want you to cut out the pictures and make a collage on the poster board." I did what she asked me to do. As I did the exercise, I had no idea what the outcome would be or why she assigned it. But once I finished it, I was able to see things. It brought attention to what I enjoyed and what I was passionate about. This poster allowed me to see I have options. When disappointment comes my way, I am grateful when I recognize it and realize I can do something about it. I can pray and ask the Lord what He wants me to see and what He wants to do about it. This poster comes to mind occasionally when a wave of disappointment engulfs me.
It has served as a reminder on many occasions.
This verse is a great reminder as well:
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Philippians 4:8, Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent and praiseworthy – think about such things.