Disappointment

This year, I planted my sugar snaps in the middle of the garden. Last year, I planted them closer to the creeks; last year we flooded.

It was the night before Palm Sunday. Triumphant? Not that year. I live in a floodplain and love my creeks, but about every ten years they become a raging river and flood my garage and surround my house. 2021 was that year.

The little sugar snap plants had come up, bursting through their seed coverings and the tilled ground to reach their tendrils toward the sun. And then the flood came. Rushing water pressed the landscape timbers against the fencing. The water submerged the tender young plants for hours; pushing and pulling them. Strong currants re-arranged the dirt, emptying it from some spots and piling it high in others. 

For days I had to deal with more pressing concerns – cleaning up, replacing the damaged appliances, dealing with workers and insurance companies. It was several days before I could turn my tired and achy body to restoring the garden. I’d lost some plants. On top of all the other losses from the flood, this one almost crushed me – these plants, unlike the water heater, were irreplaceable. Disappointment loomed large.

In the world you will face tribulation; but take heart, for I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I once heard that the key to happiness is low expectations. Disappointment results from life not living up to our expectations. I had prepared the garden and cared for those little seeds in expectations of a wonderful crop of sugar snaps; and now that expectation appeared to be dashed. Likewise, our friend may let us down; our marriage may falter; our job may not work out; our child may struggle; some mysterious virus may come along and shut down all our plans. We had expectations; and now we have disappointment.

Walking with God and growing in His likeness does not rid us of disappointments. Even Jesus faced disappointments. Judas and Peter disappointed Jesus. James and John disappointed Him by arguing over who was greatest; and the religious leaders disappointed Him with their hardened hearts. I am sure I disappoint God when I am attracted to things that aren’t holy. If God and Jesus face disappointment, why should I think I would not?

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you… rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings. I peter 4:12-13

For here’s the beauty of the Christian life – there is hope. I can restore the garden, and some of the sugar snaps will continue to grow. If not, there is next year. Peter repented and Jesus made him head of the church. James and John learned from Jesus’ teachings and example, and we can do the same. Hardened hearts can soften, and my attention can return to things that are worthy.

And the joy when that happens is priceless. Like the flower that blooms in defiance of the asphalt surrounding it, joy leaps from disappointment. Our relationships are repaired or replaced with better ones; there are moments of breakthrough and connection; we learn to prioritize our activities and treasure those that are dearest. Those first sugar snaps are exquisite.

….knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint. Romans 5:3-5

Faced with repairing the garden, I turned my disappointment of lost plants into efforts of rebuilding. I nurtured and supported those plants that were left. In the hope of future joy, I did the work to repair the flood damage and bring back the garden. And it was worth the effort. Because even though my Palm Sunday last year was far from triumphant, Easter still came. Jesus rose from the dead and sent His Spirit to abide with us. There is joy; there is triumph; there is Victory.

Thank you for reading the Victory Garden. I pray you have a joyous Easter.

Betsy

Emmanuel – God with us. Luke 1:23