Lessons in Disappointment

Yesterday evening there was the football. England played their third match of the Euros. England started the tournament as favourites. Football fans know the skilled players, their successes last season. There were high hopes.

We watched the game play out – a boring performance with little excitement and no goals. It’s a team that barely look like beating anybody right now. Only two goals in three games? Disappointment is an understatement.

Grandson-Luca’s in Year 6, finishing his time at primary school. Yesterday they all presented a children’s version of ‘Macbeth’

Witches cast their spells,  Macbeth’s desired power, Lady Macbeth’s was ambitious, bloody battles were fought… Lines were learnt, cues rehearsed, speeches delivered with confidence, volume and expression.

This group of ordinary eleven-year-olds presented an extra-ordinary play to a school hall full of proud parents and family. There was no disappointment.

Our minister, Lou, reminded us of the American priest Brenan Manning who said: ‘The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle...’

International stories about paedophiles, embezzlement, wars in the name of Christianity… personal stories of Christians lacking compassion, integrity, unity or understanding… I’m sad, frustrated, disappointed. I guess God’s disappointed too.   

Disappointment and Dreams: With low expectations comes little disappointment. Disappointment occurs when our dreams aren’t fulfilled.

Mark Twain said:‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’

Disappointment and Development: Living with, and coming through, disappointment and be part of our positive development: Martin Luther King said: ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’

St Paul said: ‘…We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not bring disappointment…’