One Thousand Gifts: When Things Don’t Go As Planned

I had anticipated writing this post and sharing with great excitement the new ministry opportunity that I have undertaken.

I was anxiously awaiting the opportunity to pour out my gratitude to God for Him working exceeding, abundantly beyond all I could have asked or imagined {Ephesians 3:20}.

I knew the day would be long and hot, and there was a threat of afternoon storms. I was prepared for that.

I was not prepared for wind gusts that threatened to topple my tent; nor having to stand and hold my display board for over an hour until we could come up with a way to hang it because the wind would not subside.

I was not prepared to get the generator to provide electricity that had been expected, or paper weights to keep everything in its place.

I was not prepared to have so few people come by; nor for the one man who showed great interest to be shot down by his wife.

I was not prepared to have no children sponsored. I was not prepared for my daughter’s tears. I was not prepared for my own.

Things did not go as planned. And the post of gratitude that was written in my mind was carried away by the winds of disappointment.

But then I remembered…

Seeds of discouragement will not grow in the thankful heart. – Anonymous

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thess. 5:16-18

And I know that in the midst of the disappointment there is much to be thankful for:

384. World Vision
385. opportunity to become a Child Ambassador

386. husband for his overwhelming support and encouragement
387. him running all sorts of errands such as getting the big sign made, finding a good tent, and coming to my rescue the day of the event by getting the generator and pretty paper weights

388. learning what worked and what did not work for the display table
389. rain never materializing

390. practice with speaking to others about World Vision and my passion for child sponsorship
391. several people taking brochures
392. local dentist giving me permission to put up a display stand with brochures in his office

393. opportunity to persevere in the midst of disappointment
394. this is just the beginning; there are more opportunities ahead

395. having a love for these children grow so quickly in the heart of my daughter
396. teaching moment for my daughter – we do all that we can, but it is God who brings the increase

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. – 1 Corinthians 3:7

397. husband for once again being the wise one, bringing it all into godly perspective

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. {Galatians 6:9}