The loved ones of this world celebrated St. Valentine’s Day yesterday. I thought about writing on the topic, but decided against it. Until I was out and about on Valentine’s Day.

I received several emails, read all the Facebook posts, and even received a cute card from my husband about love for others and God’s love for me. I purchased a card for my husband and small boxes of chocolates for my grandchildren. I will admit that I added a few dollars to the commercialism of love. But that’s not what I want to write about today.

My husband and I were in a party supply store purchasing Elmo party supplies for our grandson’s 2^nd birthday next week. As we stood in line, all the customers ahead of us were purchasing red heart balloons. Some were leaving the store with single balloons while others were struggling with ten, twenty or perhaps more.

The problem was that it was a windy day in Colorado. We noticed a large bunch of balloons in a tree when we arrived at the shop, so we weren’t surprised when the store clerk told each patron to “hold on to your balloons tightly.”

One woman left the store with a dozen balloons and did as she was told. She held tightly to the ribbons that were attached to the balloons. However, the balloons were not attached at the top as tightly as they should have been and two escaped before she made it to her car. I mentioned it to the clerks behind the desk and they had to make some alterations to their ribbon attaching strategy.

One of her balloons drifted off into the great balloon abyss, but one tangled itself in a nearby tree. As we walked to our car, without any balloons I might add, I noticed a young man climbing the tree to capture the wandering heart-shaped balloon. With balloon in hand, he descended from the tree, but the balloon must have snagged on a branch, for when he touched the ground, the balloon was torn. This young man hung his head in disappointment.

But his female companion was not disheartened by the scene. Upon spying the large grouping of heart shaped balloons in another tree, he began the climb once again, while his young friend took video of the adventure. I was hoping he could at least get one balloon out of that tree intact.

Life, in all its wonders and excitement, still disappoints us at times. We may not be loved by the one we love. We may be attacked by illness. We may find ourselves unemployed. We may face unbearable pain each day. We may have been betrayed by a friend. Our dreams may be dashed. Yes, disappointment is part of living.

But disappointment is just that, a part of living. There is so much more to this life than disappointment. And we can learn from each disappointing circumstance.

We understand from Scripture that this world is a disappointing place. Look at 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV). “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Peter’s solution to disappointment? Rejoice! Rejoice that there are more opportunities out there.

Peter also encouraged his readers to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 – NIV) When disappointment surrounds you and me, God would love nothing more than to wrap His everlasting, never disappointing arms around us. Because He loves us!

God also desires to deliver us from our troubles. King David wrote of such deliverance in two specific passages.

“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” (Psalm 34:19 – NIV)

“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” (Psalm 66:5 – NIV)

In Psalm 73:21-26 (NIV), David also reminds us that in God we will never be disappointed.

“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me you’re your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I saw a quote on Pinterest that said, “I’m placing all of my eggs in one basket and I’m giving the basket to God.” I believe that is exactly what David did. David accepted God’s counsel and guidance. He understood that nothing satisfied as God did. He depended upon God for provision and strength. Yes, David placed everything in God’s hands.

Yes, this life will bring disappointment, but as we place our trust and faith in God and God alone, we accept the disappointments as growth experiences. Learning experiences. We also come to realize that God is the only one we can truly depend upon. He will never disappoint.

Let’s start gathering those eggs!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna