“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (HCSB)

It’s hard not to let the hurt of today blind us to the hope of tomorrow. But what if God wants to use our disappointment to usher in a new appointment?

I remember many years ago when my middle daughter Ashley was flitting around the house singing everything Annie. Our home was filled with songs, dances, scripts and the proud announcement she was trying out for her middle school’s musical.

The day the cast list was posted, the singing and dancing and rehearsing of the lines stopped.

She hadn’t gotten a part in the play.

There was a smile and a quick, “Who cares?” that hid a thousand tears daring to come if she said much more.

But a few days later, the director requested that Ashley and one of her parents attend the all-cast meeting, where Ashley was told she'd been given the job of student director. That sounded exciting until the director explained the job basically meant Ashley would be a behind-the-scenes errand runner for her and the cast.

There would be no shining moment.

There would be no songs or lines or fun dances to learn.

Just hours and hours of behind-the-scenes work.

As a parent, I could see the character-building potential. I have done my fair share of behind-the-scenes stuff in life, and it helped shape me for the better. But to a middle schooler’s heart who loved to sing and dance, it was hard.

We went home that night and Ashley struggled with wanting to drop out. But the next morning, Ashley surprised me by deciding she would embrace this role of serving.

And embrace it she did! My mama heart soared as Ashley chose to live out the wisdom of Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.”

In doing so, she discovered she had quite the knack for choreography and set design, and a keen sense of how to make scenes flow more smoothly. The director quickly found Ashley to be quite capable and turned over many responsibilities to her.

What once seemed like a huge disappointment became a divine appointment instead.

Ashley was born to be a leader. Put her in the right environment to lead, and she’ll thrive.

I asked Ashley in the midst of rehearsals what she thought of the whole experience. She beamed and said, “I wouldn’t want to be doing anything other than the role I've been given, Mom. I love being the student director. I love it so much.”

When the curtain fell to the thunderous applause of proud parents cheering for their child's performance, I couldn't see my little brown-eyed beauty. But I knew she was probably bossing somebody backstage, and I was clapping like crazy for her out front.

I even had a reply ready, just in case the mama sitting next to me leaned over and asked which one was mine.

“The one who is right where she should be.”

What disappointment are you processing today, sweet friend? How might this actually be a gift in the making?

We all have times in our lives when we aren’t where we want to be or where we think we should be. But in those times, we can ask God which assignment He wants us to fully embrace today — right where we are.

Father God, thank You for using all things for my good, even disappointment. Help me to look at my disappointments with fresh eyes today, discovering gifts where I am tempted to only see heartache. And show me how I can love and serve others with passion and purpose today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Isaiah 55:8-9, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (NIV)

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES

Does life look different than you hoped or expected? Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations with Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Get your copy here today.

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