From the Editor: God's plans are greater than our disappointments

Some time ago I was despondent after receiving disappointing news. I thought I had done everything right to get my hoped-for outcome, and as insurance (OK, pleading) I prayed a novena and I enlisted my family and friends for prayer and support.  I was confident it was just meant to be —  that it was God’s plan for me. In other words, I knew best and was just getting God on board.

And when it unraveled, I tried to comfort myself. “It wasn’t meant to be,” I said to myself. “I need to ‘let go and let God.’” I needed to lean into it and feel my disappointment.

Have you ever been there, in that moment — a career that derails or a heart that breaks or a fright-ening diagnosis from a doctor — when you think, “Gee, thanks a lot God — where were you? I thought you had my back.”

It is in these moments I most see myself in the Apostles — what they must have felt like while watching the horror of their leader being crucified — the exact opposite of what they envisioned. Despite Jesus’ foretelling of his passion and resurrection, the Apostles were in denial, frightened and hiding — both literally and figuratively — from the Truth. None of the unfolding events of Easter weekend matched their dreams of what the Messiah would bring. Despite the evidence, the empty tomb and the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy, they still hid in the Upper Room and were skeptical.

Thankfully through the guidance of the resurrect-ed Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the Apostles not only got on board but were successful in taking up their mission, to go and make disciples of all nations.

When we journey through the darkness, it is difficult to feel light and hope. I keep a favorite poem close to me to remind me of this:“Help us to be the always hopefulgardeners of the spiritwho know that without darknessnothing comes to birthas without lightnothing flowers.” —May Sarton

The glorious part for us, in any circumstance, is that unlike the Apostles, we already know the end-ing — and it is magnificent. Jesus died for our sins and opened the gates of Heaven. It is something we should hold onto in our darkest days and deepest disappointments because the reality is we are loved so much that God sent his only son for our salva-tion. What could be better?