I know it sounds strange to be thankful for disappointments, but I've put a great deal of thought into this....
How you handle disappointment really says a great deal about your character. If you don't get your way, do you throw yourself on the floor and have a temper tantrum (literally or figuratively) , or do you simply smile and say "I understand" (and mean it)? I can admit to doing both, though as I've aged and my relationships have evolved, I tend to fall more into the latter. I've mentioned in my blogs over and over how difficult a LDR can be, and this always rings true. A missed connection, a canceled trip or even falling asleep without saying goodnight.... in a face to face relationship can be an annoyance, but in a LDR it can be devastating. There is a constant longing for contact and affirmation, so a missed or cancelled call or god forbid, a visit, can feel like the end of the world.
I haven't always handled disappointment in ways that make me proud. I will unabashedly tell you that I am flawed, a work in progress. My go-to move is to become sullen and distant... "I'm fine". I know that my Master would prefer that I tell him that I am not, but I don't always take the honest route when it comes to feelings. I have a high standards for the people I choose to let into my heart/inner circle, so if they behave in a way that I am disappointed in I will fly into a rage. Again, not healthy.
I'm working on grace in the wake of disappointment. Understanding that I can only control what I do and how I react. If I constantly lose my mind when someone cannot follow through or fails, will they be willing to love me through when I do the same? It conditions those in your life to sugar coat or omit things to spare themselves the drama. I definitely do not want this to be the case for me and mine.
So today I am thankful for disappointment, and for the patience and coping skills it has taught me.