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The Bible Says
“Ten-year-old Phineas was up before the sun was. He’d scarcely slept the night before. And long before a sound was heard in the house, he was downstairs with his bag packed, ready to climb into the wagon. “The year was 1820. And Phineas was about to see an island. His island. His grandfather presented newborn Phineas with a deed, a sizable portion of Connecticut land called Ivy Island. And today, for the first time, Phineas was to see it. “Not every boy is born a proprietor. Phineas’s parents were always quick to remind their son of this. They urged him not to forget them when they came of age. Neighbors feared that the young landowner wouldn’t want to play with their children. “Their concerns were legitimate. Phineas was different from his playmates. While they dreamed of dragons and knights, his fantasies were of Ivy Island. Someday he would be lord of his own territory. He’d build a house. Start a farm. Raise cattle. Rule his domain. “When you own an island you feel important. “When you own an island, you want to see it. Phineas had yet to see his. He pleaded with his father to take him to the island and, finally, in the summer of 1820, his father agreed. “Three sleepless nights preceded the expedition. Then early that morning, Phineas, his father, and a hired hand climbed into the buggy and began the long-anticipated journey. Finally, Phineas would see his land. “He could scarcely sit still. At the top of each hill he would ask, ‘Are we nearly there? Can I see it from here?’ And his father would encourage him to be patient and assure him that they were drawing near. “Finally, his dad pointed north beyond a meadow to a row of tall trees stretching into the sky. “There” he said. “There is Ivy Island.” “Phineas was overcome. He jumped from the wagon and dashed through the meadow, leaving his father far behind. He raced to the row of trees into an opening from which Ivy Island was visible. “When he saw the land he stopped. His heart sank. “Ivy Island was five acres of snake-infested marsh- land. His grandfather had called it the most valuable land in Connecticut. But it was worthless. His father had told him it was a generous gift. It wasn’t. It was a joke . . . a cruel joke. As stunned Phineas stared, the father and the hired hands roared with laughter. “Phineas was not the fortunate beneficiary of the family. “Grandfather Taylor had played a joke on his heir. “Phineas didn’t laugh. Nor did he forget. That disappointment shaped his life. He, the deceived, made a lifestyle out of deception. The little boy that was fooled made a career out of fooling people.. “He may even have fooled you. You don’t know him as Phineas. You know him as P. T. You don’t know him as a land owner; you know him as a promoter. You know him as the one who coined the phrase, ‘There is a sucker born every minute.’ Such was the life of P.T. -- P. T. Barnum.”
-- (Max Lucado, in his book, “He Still Moves Stones) Our first parents were disappointed when Cain, their beloved son, lost his cool and killed his brother Able. They had been excited when Cain was born. Adam said, “I have gotten a man from the Lord” (Gen. 4:1). What a let down Cain proved to be! Then God gave them Seth and their hearts were comforted (Gen. 4:25,26). Joseph was disappointed when he was sold into slavery by his own brothers at age 17. How do you think he felt toward his brothers at that time? What was there left to thrill and encourage him? That, however was only the beginning. Joseph met with one disappointment after another. Eventually he was honored and given a high position in the Land of Egypt. Now was Joseph’s time to get even! His brothers had hated him because he had dreamed as a child of one day ruling over them. Now that dream had come true. They were totally committed into his hands. Did Joseph seize the opportunity to get even? No! He instead, tried to console them and put their minds at rest. “And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither, for God send me before you to preserve life. . . So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God” (Genesis 45:4-8).
“Your disappointments too heavy? Read the story of the Emmaus bound disciples. The Savior they thought was dead now walked beside them. He entered their house and sat at their table and something happened in their hearts. ‘It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us by the road and explained the Scriptures to us’” (Luke 24:31,32). “Next time you’re disappointed, don’t panic. Don’t jump out. Don’t give up. Just be patient and let God remind you He’s still in control. It ain’t over till it’s over.”
“He Still Moves Stones, p.75-76 |