Cancel

Written by

teresaklasher

in

,

My calendar is peppered with the word “cancel.” It’s easier to erase an appointment if it’s written in pencil. At least the evidence of a failed, re-scheduled, or cancelled date doesn’t hit me in the face every time I view the page. Often I’ll place an un-smiley face nearby to remind me I was none too happy to “X” the event out. Most of the cancels can be traced back to COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

This is the third or fourth time an event or series of events originally planned, and looked forward to, is put on hold or not happening at all.

  • Doctor appointment for my mother-in-law to see her new doctor
  • Breakfast/lunch date for my birthday with my sister (still hasn’t happened)
  • Travel down south to visit family

Disappointment, dashed hopes, plans, dreams gone by the wayside. That’s one perspective—the one I tend to linger in and gravitate to. Woe is me! I can’t do such and such. Go to this place. Have fun.

The flip side is an angle I must work on to develop and make it my go-to lifestyle and automatic reflex.

What if this happened (or didn’t happen), plans adjusted, cancelled because of something else underlying? Something bigger or better? Something neither you or I can see or know on the time spectrum.

Maybe the timing wasn’t the best. If I’d been down south, I’d missed something up north. Who knows? Don’t know if you or I’ll ever know. I’m reminded to be content in whatever circumstances I’m in. Right here and right now. Cancel, no cancel. Re-schedule or no re-schedule.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declared the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

What if I were to dwell on these words? My life would be filled with more joy and less stress. I’m see more blessings in the interim vs. just doom and gloom.

  • What ways can you change your thinking around to think less of what you didn’t get to do or be?

This post has been part of the Five Minute Friday writing challenge group. A challenge to write for 5 minutes on a given topic each week.

Comments

12 responses to “Cancel”

  1. Cindy Wilkins Avatar
    Cindy Wilkins

    I lingered on the thought of being content in all situations around cancel too. Boy wouldn’t we be happier if we could achieve that! This verse from Isaiah reminds us that there’s so much we don’t know and that we’re not in control (a hard lesson for me). Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

    Reply
    1. teresaklasher Avatar
      teresaklasher

      you are welcome, Cindy. I think the idea about not being in control is something that many struggle with. We’re a work in progress, right?
      Teresa

      Reply
  2. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    I’m trying to be thankful in this time its not easy there are so many things I miss like hugging my daughters for a start. But we have to give thanks even when its hard because we do have so much to be thankful for.

    Reply
    1. teresaklasher Avatar
      teresaklasher

      Sara,
      I know what you mean about the hugs from a daughter/family. We went for months without them and it was so hard! Counting our blessings we do have does help. Thanks for the reminder. Blessings to you & to yours, Teresa

      Reply
  3. Sandra K Stein Avatar
    Sandra K Stein

    Wise words. Thanks for sharing.
    (Visiting from #36)

    Reply
    1. teresaklasher Avatar
      teresaklasher

      Thanks for visiting, Sandra. Come again. Blessings to you & to yours, Teresa

      Reply
  4. Loretta Avatar
    Loretta

    I might start putting faces instead crosses on my calendar. They might recall if I was actually happy or sad when the event was cancelled! Visiting from fmf #4 Have a blessed weekend x

    Reply
    1. teresaklasher Avatar
      teresaklasher

      true. good point. could be a happy or a sad face. LOL! Thanks for visiting.
      blessings to you & to yours,
      Teresa

      Reply
  5. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser Avatar
    Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    Guess it wasn’t meant to be,
    that wide life I had planned,
    and woe is, woe is, woe is me,
    I feel I have been damned!
    The days were not what I had wanted,
    and this gets me down,
    my disappointment to be flaunted
    with a scowling frown.
    Yes, I might have given aid
    to some distressed soul,
    and my kindness might have made
    some broken heart grow whole.
    but since God hit me with this zinger,
    well, I will not lift a finger!

    So THERE. (Sticks tongue out at God. God rolls His eyes.)

    Reply
    1. teresaklasher Avatar
      teresaklasher

      Andrew,
      Thank you for visiting my post. I feel your anger and disappointment. I’ve felt all those emotions too. But I try not to linger there. I don’t think God is surprised at our emotions. In fact, I believe He invites us to share them with Him. May He comfort you – shelter you under His wings, my friend.
      blessings,
      Teresa

      Reply
  6. netablogs Avatar
    netablogs

    What a great perspective, and one I wish I practiced more often! It’s so easy to wallow in disappointment rather than trust that better things can come from the cancellations we are experiencing. It seems I commiserate a lot with others who are frustrated, as well, and sometimes that just pulls me even further down. Thanks for the reminder. visiting you from FMF#22

    Reply
    1. teresaklasher Avatar
      teresaklasher

      I, too, commiserate with others especially when they’re in pain. As mercy-givers, it’s tough not to feel their pain with them.
      Yet, this reminder helps,
      “Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.”
      Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

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