Disappointments

Life is full of the unexpected. We have expectations about people, events, that life should be ‘normal’.

I have recently, as many times before, been reminded to be flexible in my expectations. I went to see a friend expecting a quiet evening instead ended up going to pick up their friend from the hospital and then spending time chatting with the man who we picked up from the hospital.

Anyone who lives in a family situation or in a community knows that there is a need for flexibility if we are to live in harmony with others.

Jesus reminded us to live one day at a time and yet so often we worry about tomorrow and stay ‘trapped in the past’.

As we deal with illnesses, grief, relationship issues, we are reminded that we are not helpless or even alone.

A healthy detachment gives us the freedom to deal with the unexpected.

We can continue to learn, by the Grace of God, to respond rather than just react to life. We can respond out of our core values and beliefs. We can learn to keep our disappointments in perspective.

We are both strong and frail at the same time.

Dealing with the challenges of life is a lifelong journey, we do not fully get there in this life.

Saint Paul reminds us that when we are weak, we are strong. This means that when we acknowledge our need for God, we accept His strength to let the gifts of the Holy Spirit empower us and even surprise us!