When dealing with disappointment, I have found there are several ways to deal with it. 

One, you can wallow in it and find yourself going deeper and deeper into a hole that gets harder and harder to dig out of. 

Two, you can tell yourself, “Buck up Bill. You are stronger than this difficulty and will get through it.”  ‘Course the ironic part of that is “If I am so strong I can get through this then why am I struggling so much and needing help?”

Three, you can find a friend to lean on or to spend time with. 

I have related in several posts in the past about the loss of my friend, Dave, in Arizona. After an 18 month battle with a glioblastoma, Dave succumbed to his disease. The celebration of life was this past Saturday, but due to the uncertainty of the airlines, I deferred our tickets to February. I think it was a very wise thing to do even though it hurt to do so. Because I had already arranged for our youth pastor to preach, Jo & I decided to visit the church of friends and spend time with them. What a welcome diversion it was! Ryan and Amanda were our closest friends before they moved to another town about 30-45 minutes away (depending on how fast one drives). It was nice to relax for the occasional Sunday morning break, but it was even better because we were with friends. After church we went to a Wings place and must have stayed at least 2 hours, laughing and talking. Every time we leave an evening with them, I tell Jo the same thing, “I cannot begin to tell you how much I miss them.”  I decided to look up some verses on friendship. Here are just a few:

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (Pr. 17:17)  Check. 

“There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Pr. 18:24) Check. 

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” (Pr.  27:9)  Check (although I’m not too sure about the perfume part). 🙂

“Never abandon a friend-either yours or your father’s.” (Pr.27:10a) Check. 

Getting away was in order. If not the one that was originally planned, then the one that was essential in another way. While I missed being at the church where my heart is, I loved being with friends who helped ease the disappointment of what was supposed to be. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thanks Ryan and Amanda (and Aleah and Keegan and Megan. Aleah is their adult daughter whom I love to tease and she gives it right back. Keegan is their son, and Megan is their soon-to-be daughter-in-law, whom I will have the privilege of performing their marriage in March). 

Find a friend. Be a friend.