By Brenda Cannon Henley
Do people and relationships often disappoint you? Does your mate, your partner, your husband, your wife, your children, your co-workers; even neighbors or club members, sometimes promise things they cannot keep. It happens to all of us. A close relative, a friend that we have trusted in the past, a co-worker known to be conscientious about duties, a neighbor, gives their word and then, alas, breaks it for whatever reason. It makes us sad and there are times when it makes us downright mad.

We may throw a little pity party and proclaim, “Why, I have always done for them. Why couldn’t they do what they said for me?” “Why couldn’t they attend the gathering?” “Why don’t they give money to something I firmly believe in supporting?” “Why did they not remember my birthday, my special day? I always remember theirs and try to find a great gift every year?”

Because I have written in this area for a good many years, I have a wide circle of friends and they often find me to have a “listening ear.” I really don’t mind at all. I suppose it comes from years of ministry and with the advent of Facebook and other social media sites, I now have contact with all of my new friends here in Texas of the last 15 years, and ones I have made around the area, but I now can keep up with old friends at home in Georgia, and dear friends scattered literally around the world. Our boundaries have changed in recent years and I like it very much. I love seeing photos of their family members, hearing about their travels, new jobs, marriages, and many, many prayer requests.

One thing I have noticed in recent weeks is a good deal of disappointment, and this is coming from folks that have lived a while. One middle-aged, intelligent, fun lady went on a rant last week and told everyone off because several had not contributed money on a monthly basis to a fund she seriously believes in and supports. She was obviously very disappointed that her friends did not see it exactly as she did and she began calling them out by name on Facebook. I shook my head when I read the comments and thought, “Oh, no, this is not good. She is so disappointed and she is going to make enemies over this line of thought.”

A few moments later, I read another set of comments where a loving mother was so hurt because her children had not responded to an occasion she felt important. Again, I was saddened for all of them.

Perhaps the most clarifying illustration I know came to me just after Hurricane Ike had decimated the Bolivar Peninsula where I lived. I visited the various communities writing articles for The Examiner and had the opportunity to meet and work with many people that were trying to figure out how to go on with their lives. Many had lived in older homes or cabins for years without a thought of the future. A great many of these fish cabins had been passed down from one generation to the other of fishermen in the family and since there was no mortgage, there was little or no insurance. After Ike, people realized first hand how important adequate and trusted insurance is to continue on with life. I drove up into a sandy yard and found a little 76-year-old woman literally sitting in the sand crying. I put my arms around her and asked what I could to do help her.

She said, “I have no idea.” The cabin her husband had built for them to retire in was literally gone — taken by Ike like so many of the 3,600 homes. She had no insurance and was frantic as to where she would spend that night and the ones to follow. Without thinking, I said, “Well, you can come home with me. I’m sure Ted won’t mind.” And, then, it dawned on me that I had no home to offer her. I then asked if she had children. She smiled weakly and nodded yes. “I do. I have a son and a daughter, but they don’t want me. I would just be in their way. They have their own lives to live and I don’t fit in with their lifestyle.” And with that sad pronouncement, she began to weep anew. She was horribly disappointed.

Disappointment hurts and it takes some getting used to before it goes away for good. I have wonderful news today. No matter how badly you have been disappointed, no matter who has failed you, no matter how your hearts are hurting, Jesus is the same. He kept His promise on that first Easter Sunday morning so long ago, and He keeps His promises to us today. If you are feeling sad, alone, left out, hurt, or very tired, may I suggest you take the Bible from the shelf or off the table, open it, and read His wonderful promises to you and to me? He tells us that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, unlike our loved ones and friends that are only human. (Hebrews 13:8)

(This article published 4/6/2015)

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, at
[email protected], or by using the contact form below.

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