{disappointment.bag}

So today was Addy's first dentist appointment, and, by the way I see her brush her teeth, I fully expected a not-so-joyous report. But, in true Addy fashion, her teeth were great, and I was bewildered. Truly. You should see her brush her teeth. Have I offered to help? Of course. Has it ever been accepted? Of course not. It's Addy, for heaven's sake! She can do EVERYTHING by herself. EVERYTHING. Just ask her.

Anyway, when we got home, Addy asked where her "disappointment bag" was. Huh? I asked her if this was something she had at school that I was unaware of? No, no, she says. You know, the bag with my new toothpaste and toothbrush inside of it. (Side note: The floss was totally unwound in the car on the way home. No surprise there. Addy can't help herself when it comes to these kinds of things.) OH, your "dentist appointment" bag? Yes. That's the one.

And then I got to thinking. How many of us carry around "disappointment bags?" Big ones. Like bigger than my purse which can hold everything from snacks for the whole carpool line to a whole new outfit that can be converted into a costume at a moment's notice to a pair of flip flops because Addy often wanders out of the house without shoes. And those disappointment bags are heavy. But, you know, we don't need to carry those around, do we? For if we know Jesus, HE is our hope, and He promises to replace our disappointments with joy . . . if we'll let Him. Will you (will I?) let Him? Put down your disappointment bag already. It's not even a cute one. :-)