Disappointment. Fear. Worry. Waiting. Grief.
Dear Family and Friends,
Disappointment. Fear. Worry. Waiting. Grief.
All common feelings or experiences that you (and I) are likely going through right now. Families are being kept a part; weddings have had to be rescheduled; parties have had to be canceled; my kids didn’t get to finish their school years; and my daughter didn’t get to dance in her Spring recital. It’s like a season of life has been robbed from us. It’s not fair. And frankly…it stinks.
Disappointment comes in all different shapes and sizes. And as I look back on my life and see different seasons of disappointment, more than I would care to admit, I realize that it’s through those seasons of life that I learned the most. And it’s through those seasons of life that I grew the most, allowing my scars to shape and mold me into the person I am today.
As I too often question God’s motives for my life, I am reminded each time of His sovereignty. Despite all those seasons, never once has He left me on my own, even in my lowest moment. Never once did He ever abandon me, even during my most wandering moment. Because my disappointment, my failures, and my questioning does not dictate who God is. Even now, during these uncertain times, God is still who He says He is – the most certain and constant thing in our lives.
I don’t want this message to be centered around the global pandemic because we are all going through the same thing and experiencing similar feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Yes, of course, everyone is processing this experience differently, and unfortunately, some are feeling the “brunt” of it more so than others. My prayer and hope is that you are first and foremost caring for yourself properly. Seeking help when it’s needed is hard, but you are far from alone in this. If you need help, reach out to a professional…seriously.
But the takeaway for this message is to prepare ourselves for future disappointment. Because as long as there is a tomorrow, you and I will sometime, somewhere experience disappointment again (hopefully not another global pandemic); but rather, life’s moments that just aren’t fair, that don’t seem right, that don’t make any sense. That frankly, stink.
It’s through those moments of disappointment, though, that we have the opportunity to refine our faith…even when we can’t see it. It’s through our suffering, through our grief, through our seasons of loss – no matter how big or how small – that we can improve ourselves, learn from the experience, and be better coming out of the other side.
Life’s satisfaction should not come only from the happy or comfortable times. Taking a quote from a recent movie about the life of Jeremy Camp called, I Still Believe, Jeremy’s father told him “My life is not full in spite of the disappointments. It’s full because of them.”
There is no doubt that my life is better because of BVT. And more specifically, to see our team respond during a very disappointing season of life. A group of people (staff) rallying around another group of people (residents) because they care passionately about those we serve. Each person who invests in the lives of the residents of BVT should be proud of the way our team has responded to this challenge.
The residents, too, have responded to these hardships. Using these moments as a chance to learn, grow, and connect with others in a new way. Their positivity and comprehension of a tough situation is something we can all learn from. Disappointed, frustrated, waiting…sure. But in no way defeated.
So, as we face future trials, hardships and disappointment, may we all have that kind of mindset. May we all fix our minds and understanding and use these moments to renew our faith, to restore our hope, and to be reminded that He is who He says He is. And if we can hold on to that truth, we can have a peace that passes all understanding.
You can do hard things.
Until next time,
Steven Campbell
Executive Director