What Do I Do With Disappointment?

          This week we should be in the beautiful state of Washington visiting our kids and grandkids.  So why aren't we?  And what am I supposed to do with my disappointment that we are still in Texas???

Our granddaughter, Michaela Marie Coates - 1 1/2 years old.

          A few weeks ago, my daughter-in-law, Natasha, called me to say she had a plane ticket that she couldn't use, and my one and a half year old granddaughter, Michaela, wanted Grammy to come to see her!  It was a standby ticket, and it had to be used by March 31.  She said they might also be able to get another ticket for Bruce.  A few conversations later, the other ticket surfaced, and Bruce and I were making plans.

Our granddaughter, Charlotte Joy Hayes -  5 1/2  months old.

          My primary concern was who would stay with Mom.  Not to worry...my sister, Sherrie, & her husband would come to our house and stay with Mom.

While preparations were underway, the kids started calling and texting to solidify any new developments.  Plans quickly came together, and we were getting excited.  We could envision holding our two little granddaughters - one of which we had never seen in person.    And we looked forward to visiting with the older grandkids, and meeting our soon-to-be grandson with his pending wedding to my granddaughter.
          Then, suddenly I came down with a sinus and ear infection.  I took some medicine and went to bed early, hoping this would somehow miraculously disappear.  It had been a year since I'd seen my kids (other than my son who had stopped to see us on his way home from Florida.)  Surely this would not keep us from going.  But as the weekend progressed, I was no better, and even after starting antibiotics, my progress was slow.  Unfortunately, we had a small window of opportunity to use the tickets, this week being the only time we could go due to important tests and doctors appointments for Mom.
          Finally, I had to face the awful fact.  I was not going to feel well enough to go.  I was still having ear problems, and I had flown with an ear infection once before.  I did not want to repeat that experience!  I had been so healthy all winter.  Why did this have to happened at the only time that we were available to go?
          Through various conversations and texts from the kids, they expressed their disappointments in various ways, even as I struggled to deal with my own.  And, although I learned long ago how to deal with disappointment, I'm only human, and I still struggle at times like this.  Finally, I realized the only way to peace in my heart was to turn the entire situation over to God.  
         "Lord," I prayed, "You could have prevented this from happening to me!  Why now?"   As I poured my heart out to him, I felt his incredible peace flow over me.
          "This is not the right time," I heard him speak quietly to my heart.
          "Lord Jesus," I cried, I choose to praise you even in the midst of this disappointment.  I choose to serve you and love you, no matter what."
            So, what do I do with disappointment?  After struggling a while...I rest in the Lord and simply say, "Lord, I choose to trust you even in this!"