Disappointed?

Sherri and I went to have lunch with Caleb today at St. Bernards. We had milk and fruit and hamburger and fries. A brownie wrapped up what I thought was a pretty good school lunch. Our table had all five of the 8th grade boys and we had a good conversation.

At one point I asked Caleb what class was next. He replied, 'literature' and that they were reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Sherri said that was a good book. I said I had never read it. To which classmate Jeremy replied, 'Neither have I'. We all shared a good laugh on that comment.

We all have times when we don't do the things we are supposed to. This week I went to physical therapy for the first time to work on increasing my arm movements after having a shoulder muscle removed during my cancer surgery. Anyway I felt okay going in but after being poked and prodded and stretched my shoulder was a little sore. I came home with exercises to do but so far I have yet to get started on the new routines I'm supposed to do. Don't tell anyone, especially my wife.

When folks don't do what they are supposed to it can be disappointing. Jesus dealt with this problem on numerous occasions. One such instance is recorded for us where Jesus asks a couple of his disciples to stay awake with Him while He prays. Of course we know that doesn't happen. Even so Jesus continued on with His mission.

I bet this happened over and over through the three years of Jesus' ministry. And yet, just like in the garden, Jesus never stopped moving forward in His work. When Jesus learns of a disappointing debate over who gets to sit next to Him in heaven, He doesn't give up on them, rather He gives them a lesson in humility.

That's not as easy for us to do is it? When others disappoint us often our first reaction is to take it personally, maybe even look for a pound of flesh or some way to proclaim our hurt and disappointment. If it is church related, well then the most common response is to quit whatever program, position or project we are working on. That'll teach 'em! But that's not the example Jesus gave us is it?

Jesus taught us to love one another and to freely forgive. His example of forgiving Peter and then using him to 'feed my sheep' is the perfect 'disappointment' response. May God grant us an extra measure of grace this week to live the same response as we work together in His kingdom. And may God grant Jeremy Mockingbird Cliff Notes for his literature class.

Blest Regards,
Keith