Disappointments cut deep. They drain the beauty out of our days and steal our joy.
A broken marriage crushes the dream of happily ever after.
A job loss eats up every penny of savings and just like that, the “nest egg” is gone.
A friendship unravels as two people grow apart, leaving loneliness in it’s place.
These are just a few of my disappointments, I suspect you have your own list.
For me, the thing that makes some disappointments more devastating than others, is not seeing God in the midst of them.
Remember the other day when my heart-post was about When Jesus is missing from your pain? Since then, I’ve been kind of looking for other situations like that, when Jesus seemed to be absent. I found another one while reading in Luke…
Just days after Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, two of the disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus. It was a 7 mile walk, so there was a lot of time to talk. As they were walking, they talked about the events of the past several days. They talked about their disappointment:
“…we hoped he (Jesus) would be the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
Those men left behind everything to follow Jesus. They expected him to bring massive political change to their world and in the aftermath of the cross, in the confusion of the empty tomb…they were face to face with deep disappointment.
The story …their story, wasn’t unfolding as they’d hoped.
And worst of all, where was Jesus now when they needed answers, needed reassurance?
As they talked Jesus came up and started walking with them…the Bible says that they didn’t recognize him. They talked to him like a stranger, because that’s what they saw. They told him the facts of the past few days all tinged dark with their disappointment.
How heavy is the burden of watching unmet expectations die right in front of us.
You probably know the story…Jesus talks to them, explaining everything. From Moses and the prophets he tells them all the things that were said in scripture about him. About his true purpose. Tells them how he had in fact redeemed Israel.
I think in modern day vernacular, you’d say that Jesus changed their paradigm on the walk to Emmaus.
And the story ends hours later, as Jesus joined them for dinner. Sitting around the table, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. He was there all along…
Sometimes, Jesus can’t been seen as we walk through our deepest disappointments. We feel alone and confused. If that’s where you are sweet friends, I pray you’ll be encouraged, that He’s with you. Right where you are, even if you don’t recognize him. He’s there.
~Sending love~
Diana says
May 8, 2014 at 6:22 amThank you so much Robin, after yesterday I needed this. Blessings!
Robin says
May 8, 2014 at 7:42 amDiana, soooommmme days! I’m sorry you had ‘one’of those days yesterday my friend. Sending love and a prayer that today will be full of tiny joys. xo
deezie says
May 8, 2014 at 6:43 amGood Morning Robin
What a Beautiful post!!! made me cry, not for me but for those that don’t know they have Jesus and that he is there for them. I am positive your beautiful words will reach alot of people.
have a great day Robin
deezie
Robin says
May 8, 2014 at 7:41 amDeezie, Good morn gin friend!!!
You have such a tender heart..I’m right with you, I so long for those who can’t see Jesus in their situation to have eyes to see. sending love ~ xo
Tawn says
May 8, 2014 at 7:09 amRobin,
Such beautiful and truthful words. There have been times in my life that I have only made it because I knew my Savior was right there with me. He felt my pain and sorrow. He told me to lay my head on His shoulder and we would get through together.
I pray for those that do now feel His Presence with them.
Thank you for your insight this morning.
xoxo,
Tawn
Robin says
May 8, 2014 at 7:39 amTawn, I love your close relationship w/ the Father…sending love my friend xo
Rhonda tignor says
May 8, 2014 at 7:34 amThank God that is patient with our weaknesses and stubbornness . I have purposefully made Him be missing from my days because of disappointment in life. But when I returned to Him , He was and is so faithful and is as present in my life as I allow! I want more of Jesus, more and more and more. I want more of Jesus than I’ve ever had before, I want more of His great love so rich and full and free. I want more of Jesus, so I’ll give Him more of me! (Remember that song?)
Adele says
May 8, 2014 at 7:57 amThank you Robin – this is such a comfort knowing that Jesus is always with us… if you have not been on The Walk to Emmaus you should try to go – I do not know where you live but goggle “The Walk to Emmaus” where you can read about it – it is a weekend retreat and you have to be a Christian and you have to be a member of a church to be able to attend – It is based out of the Upper Room in Nashville. The experience will change your life and there is an Emmaus Community in just about every area of the US – there are 400+ –
Robin says
May 15, 2014 at 3:51 pmAdele, oh thank YOU honey! I haven’t been on Walk to Emmaus but I have been on Tres Dias which is very similar I think. And it DID change my life. sending love friend xo
Julie Garmon says
May 8, 2014 at 8:00 amBeautiful. My most favorite sentence is, “He was there all along.”
I could just float on to heaven with that Truth. Thank you, Robin.
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:46 pmJulie, me too. I need to say that over and over so I’ll remember. xoox
Lauren says
May 8, 2014 at 9:01 amThank you so much for this post. Such an excellent reminder.
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:46 pmLauren, thank you for letting me know you liked it my friend xo
Anita in SC says
May 8, 2014 at 9:19 amYou just don’t know how much I needed to read your blog this morning!! I sometimes have to be reminded that He is ALWAYS walking beside us and we’re the ones that make him un recognizable in our disappointments. I also have to be reminded with His Gentle Nudge that God has a Plan for each one of us and His Will will be done! You are such an inspiration to me and I know that finding your blog was part of His Plan for me!!!!bless you!
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:48 pmAnita, I love what you said: ‘gentle nudge’ …how sweet He is to nudge us 🙂 Thank you for being such an encouragement to me my friend. I truly appreciate you xo
Beth says
May 8, 2014 at 9:43 amWow. I really needed this today. Thank you for sharing this and posting it. Your words ring so true. Thank you.
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:49 pmBeth, thank you friend xo
Debby says
May 8, 2014 at 10:00 amI don’t understand how could Jesus be missing from our disappointment when He is the one who has
allowed it?
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:45 pmDebby, I think you misunderstood me…I’m thinking of times when we can’t see Him…aren’t aware of His presence and leading. thanks for weighing in my friend ox
SandyK says
May 8, 2014 at 10:48 amThank you for sharing!! Yes, He is with us always and wants us to be in constant communication with Him.
Blessings,
Sandy
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:49 pmSandy, I love the thought of constant communication with Him ~ xo
Diana Scott says
May 8, 2014 at 11:27 amDear Robin,
Thank you for your words of encouragement reminding me that when our expectation or HOPE is in Jesus, (Psalm 62:5) everything falls into place!
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:50 pmDiana, YES! when our hope is in Him…everything falls into place. Sending love my friend
Felicia says
May 8, 2014 at 11:50 amAwesome post Robin! Just awesome! Wonderful picture!
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:50 pmFelicia, thank you my friend xo
Jenn Nahrstadt says
May 8, 2014 at 12:21 pmbeautiful and comforting. thanks
Gina says
May 8, 2014 at 1:12 pmRobin, this is exactly what I needed to read today!! My husband and I were just discussing “where is God in all this and what is He doing in our lives?” this very week!! It has been on my mind as I have read this week, etc. We are still in a “disappointing time” in our lives and quite frankly after three years some days it wears on us. It has been quite a roller coaster for us. I picked up “The Purpose Driven Life” yesterday morning and this really stood out: “Every time you forget that character is one of God’s purposes in your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances.” It is easy to forget that Jesus is walking along this life with us and nothing is a random with Him. He has a purpose in all of it!! Thanks for the reminder!! 🙂
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:53 pmGina, you are so encouraging…right here in the middle of this difficult time, you are exuding trust…even when you’re weary. My sweet friend, I pray that God would uphold you with His righteous hand and give you rest and strength and comfort and lead you out of this season as soon as possible…sending love xo
Gail says
May 8, 2014 at 2:02 pmRobin,
Dreading Mother’s Day after the loss of my daughter, Anna. Thank you for the reminder that God will be with me Sunday…..and walk along beside me helping me with my grief. The holidays are hard.
Thank you, Robin for your gentle words that spoke to me.
Blessings, Gail
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:41 pmGail, thinking of you today sweet one …I’ve said prayers for your peace and for God to be so close to you…sending love
christiann says
May 8, 2014 at 2:54 pmGail,
The most difficult time in my life was watching my mother suffer through the loss of her 3 children (, my 2 sisters and brother), all within a 5 year period. Having to tell her they were in heaven was devastating. I couldn’t imagine her pain or her sadness, nor did I want to. I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I do know that with a lot of prayer and a lot of love expressed to her by those who cared, she was able to smile again. This is my prayer for you, that you, too, will be able to smile.. Blessings,
Christiann
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:43 pmChristiann, thank you for reaching out to Gail…your comment truly touched me. I’m overwhelmed with the loss in your family…thank you for sharing hope dear one. sending love xo
christiann says
May 12, 2014 at 7:40 pmThanks, Gina…
Brenda Osborne says
May 8, 2014 at 9:18 pmBeautiful post Robin. When our disappointments and problems come, we don’t always think about Jesus first.
I believe our human nature kicks in and we start trying to fix the problem ourselves or become so
entrenched in our disappointment we withdraw into ourselves. Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us. He is there all the time~ We just need to remember that and reach out to Him for comfort and peace.
Thank you Jesus for your love.
Brenda
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:36 pmBrenda, I always try to fix the problem myself! I’m trying to ‘practice’ trusting…even when I can’t see… xo
Adrienne says
May 9, 2014 at 7:10 amLovely post. :). We (I) pray and pray and pray and sometimes forget to sit back and just listen for Him to speak. I often wonder if that’s why I feel like I don’t hear Him as often as I’d like! Blessings <3
Elaine Arent says
May 9, 2014 at 4:39 pmI love reading your posts.I enjoyed reading so many of the comments. The Lord uses you in so many ways. Keep posting. you encourage me.
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:34 pmElaine, I’m so happy you hang out with me and so appreciate your encouragement my friend xo
Vicky says
May 9, 2014 at 4:40 pmOh how I loved coming here just now to catch up! The encouragement you offer is so special and heartfelt. Yes- at times- it feels like as I am searching – it means he is telling me to “draw nearer.”
I feel like I am repeating myself, but what can I say? I love this and I love you.
Robin says
May 11, 2014 at 8:34 pmVicky…I love you big and wide sweet friend xo