At first she wanted the part of an angel in her upcoming school Christmas play. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wear wings. But when her teacher mentioned the idea of narrator, she decided she wanted to speak.
After a few days of waiting, her teacher announced the students’ parts last Friday in a letter home. I pulled the sheet out of her folder and read it out-loud, “Your child has been chosen to play the part of a…Christmas card.” A Christmas card? Her little, first-grade face dropped. And my heart clogged up my throat.
I went over and rubbed her hair, “I’m sorry, baby. I know you wanted to be the narrator.” She looked up at me, now with tears in her eyes. She didn’t say anything. She just let me hug her.
Once the tears dried, I asked her some of those questions I always ask myself when I face disappointment. Because we all know, disappointments continue to come.
“Tell me, baby girl, who’s in control?” God.
“And who loves you more than you could ever imagine?” God.
“So can we trust that somehow, someway He wants this for you?” Yes, mama. We can.
At bedtime I asked her again how she was doing. “I’m good. I’m excited about being a card now.” My soul smiled. We then planned our trip to the craft store for the next day where we were going to get a bunch of shiny stuff to make “the best Christmas card ever.”
After I tucked everyone in bed, I talked to my God. It grieves You when I’m disappointed, doesn’t it? You don’t enjoy seeing your children upset or hurt, do You? I didn’t think so. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Daddy.
He knows us perfectly. He knows every single desire we have, even the ones we never voice. Some He placed there as we’ve delighted ourselves in Him. (Psalm 37:4) Others take up space out of our own selfish motives. But regardless, He knows. And He cares.
He does say “no” at times. Out of His infinite vision and perfect love, He closes some doors. But He can be fully trusted. Fully. Trusted.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
When I picked up my daughter from school on Monday her teacher came to my window. “I’ve chosen Hailey to be one of the narrators for the Christmas play. I didn’t get a chance to put that in her folder on Friday, but she has to be a Christmas card in order to be this narrator.”
I looked back at my little girl beaming in the back seat.
Thank you, Lord.
Fill me, Lord…
Have you had to face disappointment lately? What has comforted you through that disappointment?
What truths about our God can we choose to meditate upon in the midst of disappointment?
((love this story)) your daughter will love it, too.
Beautifully written, Lara. It is so hard to see my kids disappointed! But I understand because I, too, have been disappointed. God is so good to comfort and to fill the void of whatever we think we really needed. My three mainstays: God is good. God loves us. God is always there for us.
Love your mainstays. Truth, friend.
Brings tears to my eyes!
Me too.
Oh that is so awesome! What a sweet story and happy girl! 🙂
Disappointed…like right now. I just messed up my entire blog appearance. Bear with me. *sigh*
Getting closer. Sorry for the confusion.
So beautiful that I am now sitting here with tears streaming down my face. This blog has blessed me in so many ways, Lara! Thank you!!
Thank you, Cindy. I know, I had tears too. Nothing like our children being disappointed.
The timeliness of this post couldn’t have been better. The day after I first read it, we found out that my daughter’s teacher will not be returning next semester. Ah, the disappointment!! I so appreciated your words that were still fresh in my head as I had to share the news with her!!
I love this. What a good picture of how God grieves when we’re disappointed.
This is lovely in every way. What a tender Heavenly Daddy we have.
I love the questions you asked your daughter. Those are good for all of us.
This post caused my heart, and my eyes to overflow… God is so faithful! I love the way you are teaching your children to take their disappointment to the Lord, in quiet trust. Thank you, for reminding me, as well.