The Courage to Disappoint Yourself + Next Week’s Gospel Reflection
On choosing faithfulness over finishing, followed by NEXT Sunday’s Gospel reflection and discussion questions
Note From Me: The Courage to Disapoint Yourself
I had one simple goal for the weekend: catch up on laundry.
I started strong. A load of towels went in Friday night. By Saturday, they made it to the dryer. And… they’re still there, on Sunday night as I type this. The second load I started is still sitting in the washer, well on its way to needing a rewash.
So much for getting caught up.
But the weekend filled up in ways I didn’t plan. Visits with big kids and grandkids. An unexpected invitation from Dan to join him outside where he’s building a fence and clearing the yard (much needed this New Hampshire spring). A grocery run. Small, ordinary things that took the place of my tidy plan.
And somewhere along the way, I realized: I can choose.
I could be frustrated that I didn’t meet my own expectations. Or I could accept the life I’m actually living.
Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t disappointing other people. It’s disappointing yourself. Letting go of the ideal version of your day. Choosing what’s real over what’s perfect.
And then I think about Jesus.
He didn’t heal everyone. He walked away from crowds. He rested. There were always more people, more needs, more that could have been done. And still, He chose only what the Father placed before Him. Day by day.
It wasn’t failure. It was faithfulness.
I never need to do everything I plan. I just need to do what God is asking of me today. Be present to the people in front of me. Say yes to the interruptions.
We can always begin again. We can always hit re-start on the laundry.
With grace,
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Sunday Gospel Reflection: He Calls You By Name
Gospel for Sunday, April 26, 2026
John 10:1-10
There are so many voices competing for our attention.
Some are loud and urgent. Some promise quick fixes or easy answers. But Jesus offers us a simple and steady measure of truth: My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me.
The question is: whose voice are we trusting?
