{"id":3150,"date":"2026-02-02T05:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T10:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lorihatcher.com\/?p=3150"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:22:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T16:22:53","slug":"a-simple-way-to-battle-disappointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lorihatcher.com\/?p=3150","title":{"rendered":"A Simple Way to Battle Disappointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


<\/a>For years, every time I saw my granddaughter Caroline, she gave me a gift. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although her brother usually beat her to my door on Fun Fridays at Gigi\u2019s House<\/em>, she was fast on his heels. The tiny girl, \u201cno bigger than a squirrel,\u201d as my husband says, greeted me with smiling eyes that sparkled with mischief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cGigi,\u201d she’d say, clasping her hands together and bouncing with excitement, \u201cI have a present for you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d I always exclaimed with the proper enthusiasm, \u201cI LOVE presents.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019d do a little happy dance, then bestow her treasure into my open palms with a flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes she’d give me a sparkling jewel<\/strong> from her collection. (Don\u2019t all princesses have jewel collections?) Other times her treasure was a painted rock<\/strong>. One time it was a worm<\/strong>, but I\u2019ve forgiven her for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Her generous spirit and giving heart consistently looked for ways to share what was most precious to her.<\/strong> She\u2019s a grown up girl of 10 now, but her generous heart still bestows blessings on me when I least expect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline reminds me a lot of God. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Every time my heavenly Father and I spend time together, He gives me a gift.<\/strong> Sometimes it\u2019s a sparkling jewel <\/strong>from His collection. (Don\u2019t all kings have jewel collections?) A gold nugget from His Word, a gemstone of promise, or a sparkling insight into life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other times He gives me something He\u2019s created<\/strong>\u2014a sunrise that takes my breath away or a cool breeze on a sunny day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few times He\u2019s given me something that didn\u2019t look like a gift<\/strong>, but turned out to be one after all. Pain that pressed me further into His loving arms, a loss that reminded me of heaven\u2019s hope, or suffering that refined my faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James 1:17 sums it up: \u201cEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline and her generous heart (not her presents) is one of God\u2019s good gifts to me. She loves me unconditionally, wants to spend time in my presence, and delights to bless me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She and the Father God who created her fill my life with good things.<\/strong> This guards my heart from disappointment and reminds me to focus on the gifts and the giver, not the things I wish were different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now it\u2019s your turn. How has God shown you His generous heart this week? How does this help you battle disappointment? Leave a comment and share your blessings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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May I ask a favor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve read my most recent book, Lord, I Believe<\/a>, would you take a few minutes (less than 5, I promise) and leave a review on Amazon? Book reviews help other thoughtful readers find good books. I\u2019d be SO SO SO grateful. My goal is to reach 50 reviews, and we\u2019re only 15 away. Your review would bring me one step closer to my goal. Bless you! You\u2019re the BEST1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CLICK HERE to leave a review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Upcoming Speaking Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m so excited to be speaking to the women of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia, SC on Valentine\u2019s Day! (How LOVEly is that?) and to the women of Crosspointe Church in Lexington, SC, on February 21. The Crosspointe event is open to the public. Mark it on your calendar if you live in the area and stay tuned for more details!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who\u2019s Facing a Tough Situation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Lord, I Believe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you\u2019ll find: <\/p>\n\n\n\n