Disappointments

Has it ever seemed to you that a certain person gets everything handed to them, while you struggle to make a go of it? I know that I've felt that way many times. But often, it's the struggles and disappointments that make us stronger, deepen our faith, and make us better people in the end. That's not to say that we don't wonder why things happen the way they do, but we need to trust that our heavenly Father has our best interests at heart, even when we don't understand.



Three years ago, my children tried out for the play The Sound of Music. We live in a small town, and I was overwhelmed by the hundreds of people that turned out as we arrived at auditions. My children had never acted before, and other parents actually showed up with resumes for their children. I felt sick all evening, and ended up with a migraine. All the way home, I explained to the children that they may not get chosen, for there were so... many others there. Three days later, we received a phone call saying that all four children had been chosen for the play. I couldn't believe it. After 6 months of hard work, the play ran for a weekend, and was a huge success. The children were hooked on acting and Autumn made a wonderful friend that she had been longing for.



That fall, the children tried out for a local production of The Frog Prince. This production was put on by the Missoula Children's Theater. Every child that tried out was picked, and the play went very smoothly. We were highly impressed with the quality of the show, as the children had only one week to practice.



Last year, the children again tried out for The Little Mermaid, also put on by the Missoula Children's Theater. Again, the children all got parts, and had a wonderful time.



I think that you understand that each time my children have tried out for a play, they have gotten a part. Easy peasy.



This year Missoula is back in town and the play is Cinderella. Auditions were held last night. Only the girls were trying out this year, and they were excited about the play. It never crossed their minds, or mine for that matter, they they wouldn't get a part.



Never count your chickens before they hatch.



You've never seen two sadder faces as they walked off the stage without a rehearsal schedule in their hands. They were brave, and tried to smile, and I was proud of them for it. They didn't complain, they just sat, absorbing the shock.



I've heard Grandma say many times, "It's good to get your disappointments in while you're young." I've never understood that saying, but I do know that God has a reason for everything, and we must not question it, but try to understand that it is for our good, and His glory.