Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

It was a big day. This was the day notes from parents were to be presented for field trip approval.

The trip was special because only school patrols were going. Being a school patrol was a particular honor because only the best and brightest (at least that’s how I want to perceive it) were chosen to serve in this capacity. We were to assist students in crossing streets adjacent to the school and even stop traffic as needed. Quite dangerous, you think? Well, it made me feel in control!

Moving on, I proceeded to the appropriate teacher to present my approval note only to be told she was too busy to take it at that moment and to come back. I returned a few minutes later to then be told it was too late. The slots had all been filled. I left hurt, disappointed and bitter (pretty overwhelming stuff for a sixth-grader).

Soon thereafter I quit the school patrol squad, never to serve again.

Perhaps you have heard of Denny Morrison, a Canadian speedskater who won several Olympic and world medals in the early 2000’s. He had one last push in him to try for the 2018 Olympics. However, following a devastating motorcycle wreck and then a stroke, his dream seemed impossible. He was certainly crushed and overwhelmed with disappointment. He chose to fight back instead of giving up and actually qualified to participate in those Winter Olympics in South Korea.

It goes without saying that we’ve all suffered hurts and disappointments. The real question is, “How did we respond to it?”

Perhaps you are in the midst of such a situation now. What are you doing? How are you reacting?

Are you doing what I did as a kid - giving up, quitting? You don’t have to. You can fight back. Not with anger, but with determination and grace from God. Why accept something that is bitter and crushing without asking God to help you? Take courage, my friend, and trust the Lord. His mercy is everlasting and His compassions fail not (Lamentations 3:22). “

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness “ (Isaiah 41:10).