I’m a word nerd. Claimin’ it.
I love new words, old words, fun words, big words. I love to make up words, too.
At my house, it seems that if you add the -age ending to a word, it makes it a little more genteel in nature, perhaps more polite in conversation.
“My chestage is so sore from that workout yesterday!” See? You can totally bring that up at your husband’s fancy office dinner. Or not.
The point remains: I love words.
So it was that my thoughts drifted while taking notes in Bible study. I was initially trying to decipher how to spell the word “disappointment” while the instructor was illustrating that disappointment may lead us to God’s biggest work in our lives yet.
Dis – of course that prefix means not, opposite of, away from.
Appointment — hmmm.. a role, task, assignment.
Whether or not we can spell it, the weight of the word itself brings about heaviness of heart and soul, filling the eyes with tears. We all know that disappointment feels far more heavy than a clinical discussion of the word.
You know disappointment first-hand, no doubt. The job, the child, the house, the husband, the life you were counting on in some regard didn’t happen. And your heart was broken.
The last year has been a series of disappointments for our family. A job loss for my husband was unexpected. A new job then required a move for our family, which our teens let us know wasn’t in their life plan. Now the new location and cost of living has me sending out resume’s and applying for jobs only to hear again and again, “No thank you, you aren’t quite right..” or to be told nothing at all.
Faith is leaning into the word itself and hearing Him whisper: “See? Child, I’m telling you. This isn’t your appointment. This isn’t what I have for you. I have so much more for you. Dry your eyes. Dust yourself off. Move on.”
Is it possible that God can use my disappointment to move me to a Divine Appointment in my life?
Consider some heroes in the faith from scripture:
— Hannah, disappointed every month when she still was unable to have a child. Finally, finally… God blessed her with Samuel. Samuel that she gave back to God and who spoke for him.
— Ruth, widowed and alone, found her kinsmen-redeemer, and ended up giving birth to Obed. She has a spot in the lineage of Christ now.
— Sarah, my own namesake. Her disappointment at watching the calendar flip year after year with no children led her to desperation. She eventually would be redeemed, known as “Mother of many.”
The sting of my job rejection disappointments may subside as I journey deeper in with the Lord seeking my divine appointment. I’m trusting I’ll know it when I see it.
The boxes are mostly unpacked in our new home as the kids are making friends at school, and we are blessed to be employed again. (What is the grace period for living with boxes in your house after you’ve moved? I’m pretty sure I’m pushing it…)
The hurt of the disappointments is healing while I seek time with the Lord. My faith can be a shaky seedling some days, but I am hopeful that I will grow into His divine appointment for me.
by Sarah Stirman, The Cleft of the Rock
by Sarah Stirman
No worries Sarah! It is a REALLY, REALLY long grace period for the boxes! 🙂
That is so good to hear! Still there… mocking me. 🙂
It is hard to deal with disappointments and harder to see them as a way to our divine appointment. When years pass by with needs not being met, the rotting teeth that leads to heart trouble because there were never the funds to do anything about the teeth. The disrepair in the 100-year old home, which leads to health issues due to elements getting in, etc. The poor live daily with disappointments, those in poverty struggle even more.
In the movie Scrooge, we are told the dirge of society is want (lack) and ignorance. The hope of society is the Word of His promise, lived out by those who prosper for the betterment of mankind, especially those of the Body of Christ. The encouragement to look up into the eyes of our Lord and step into the hollow of His hand brings to light the purpose and goal of our existence. The love extended from this in deeds and actions, heals the brokenness of want. The Holy Words spoken wipes away ignorance. The duty, the living sacrifice of all that call on Him, no matter our station in life, is the pressing on to a new day filled with promises of His soon coming.
May we look up and see the fullness of our redemption coming near.
Mrs. J.
Yes. Only in Him can we find true life and no disappointments. So true.
This devotion was heaven sent “Special Delivery” to me this morning =]. Thanks so very much for sharing =]
Thanks! I need a reminder often myself!
I love this Sarah-thank you.
Thank you so much for saying so, Christy.
Sarah,
Praise God hubby has a job!
I have sooo been where you are…disappointments after disappointments no job..nada–many, many,times! I know just what you’re going through, but you put a unique perspective on the topic. Could this be a divine appointment–where God has us now? Praying for something to come up for you in the job world.
Also–I am a wordie too! I love big, words & trying to spell them out & show off my talents.
Loved this post@
Thanks, Beth — especially for the prayers. God has me at peace in my current waiting place. Most days. 🙂 Don’t ya just love to mess around with the words? 🙂
Great thoughts. In hindsight, I have seen so many instances where disappointments was God’s hand guiding me in the direction He knows is best for me. So thankful for his love and wisdom.
Ahhhh… it’s that hindsight that is the tricky part! 🙂 Yes! Must walk in the faith knowing that He knows best.
Excellent work, and a great lesson for us all.
Thanks, Dad! 😉
I just posted the 2nd comment about finding Grace and that I too lost my job, my home..
Signed it Annaymous . Isn’t God amazing!!
Mae
I’m totally a word nerd too – so you had me from the first sentence 🙂 Thank you for opening up the word disappointment for us a bit more and casting light on the people hidden in it’s shadow. The people we sometimes forget didn’t always live in glorious answers from God, but wrestled the feat of disappointments for years.
Thank you.
Oh, I love that: this is not your appointment!
How often we confuse God’s appointing with our plan and subsequent disappointment that he doesn’t comply or come through for us. Great perspective. I remember being a young wife and feeling so disappointed that life wasn’t what I had planned. I had to learn the messy way of surrendering my dreams to his divine understanding and perfect timing. Bless this post — I hope it reaches many with the joy of waiting and living in God’s timing!