Former Senator Bob Dole once commented on a disappointing political defeat by saying, "After hearing the results, I slept like a baby that night. I woke up every two hours and cried." Disappointments can do that to us.

The famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and "Treasure Island,"  wrote for his  own epitaph, "Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed much."

How do you handle disappointment in your life? Someone once said, "I have learned to turn disappointments into HIS appointments." I like that. God can take our disappointments and make something good come from it.

One of the greatest writers of all time was Victor Hugo. Charles Allen made reference to the fact that in the year 1855, Victor Hugo was exiled from his native country. He ended up on the island of Guernsey, thirty miles off the coast of France, for nearly 20 years. He was just 48 years old. This must have been a terrible disappointment for Victor Hugo. But in exile, he wrote "Les Miserables," one of the finest novels in human history. It could very well be that his best work would have never been written without this letdown in his life.

The Apostle Paul wanted to go to Spain to preach. (Romans 15:24) But he never got there. Instead, he found himself in prison in Rome. But in prison he grew in his faith and he wrote some important letters, which became part of the New Testament. The world is better today because of his disappointment.

Are you experiencing a disappointment in your life today? Why not turn to God and see if your disappointment might not become HIS appointment? I am going to do that right now. Will you join me?

You are invited to worship at First Methodist: Sundays, 8:30 & 10:45 AM

Corner of Broad and Kirkman