I have never grown in life apart from heart-wrenching failure—and I have failed often.
I list my formal, professional credentials at the bottom of this page, but I list my personal credential of failure at the top of this page because, frankly, I consider the desperate times of defeat in any person's life to be his or her greatest qualification for service. Times of failure can, of course, lead to bitterness and resentment. When properly received, however, these times inevitably lead to seasoned growth and increased understanding. Each setback humbles our self-sufficient arrogance and pride, resulting in a decreased reliance upon one's own “wisdom” and “strength” and an increased reliance upon the wisdom and strength of God.
I cannot tell you how to have a lifelong marriage to one spouse, nor can I tell you how to have a fulfilling career in your originally-chosen field of endeavor, because I have failed in both these areas. I do believe, however, that I can help you to make sense of things when your dreams are shattered, and your life is very different than what you once thought it would be.
The following poem has become quite meaningful for me. I hope it will be meaningful for you as well.
"Disappointment – His appointment,"
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be a blessing,
Though it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.
"Disappointment – His appointment,"
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, unquestioned,
All that from His wisdom flows.
"Disappointment – His appointment,"
"No good thing will He withhold,"
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold,
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
"Disappointment – His appointment,"
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life's plan is Thy moulding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining -
"Father, not my will, but Thine."
“Disappointment—His appointment,”
Change the letter, then, dear friend,
Take in cheerful acquiescence
All Thy Father’s love may send;
Soon will faith be lost in vision,
Then in glory thou shalt see
“His appointment,” and that only,
Was the right way Home for thee.
~ Laura Sophia Soole ~
B.S. degree, Chemistry
Carnegie-Mellon University
M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, Philosophy & Religious Studies
The University of Connecticut
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Member of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association (APPA)
(Learn more about APPA here.)
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Certified APPA Philosophical Counseling Practitioner
(Comprehensive list of APPA Philosophicsal Counseling Practitioners here.)
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Certified Mental Health Professional, Johnson County, Texas
(Mental Health Case Management)
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Published author:
Points of Grace: Empowerment for Hard Times (Fort Oglethorpe, GA: TEACH Services, 2020).
Righteousness Inside Out: The Believer's Guide to Experiencing the Righteousness of Christ
(Nampa, ID: Pacific Press, 1996)
(Currently out of print but re-released in e-book format)
Used copies here.
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Presentation on Eternal Security given at the Adventist Theological Symposium in San Francisco, 2011:
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