Rejection

 

While working to set up for a funeral at church a young girl wandered inside. Her father was working outside to take down the church's giant Christmas tree.  She walked up to me and just stood there. I noticed a bulge in her jacket.  "What do you have? I inquired. Unzipping the jacket I could see a bit of black fur. Curiously I asked, "Is that a bunny?"  She explained, "No it's a day old baby goat and its mama has rejected it.  I'm going to try to bottle feed it, otherwise it will die." I laid my hands on the head of this pathetic little creature, which looked very close to death and prayed.

The little girl went home and told her mother about our encounter. Three days later the mother texted me this picture of these sibling goats who were thriving. She asked if I would like one. It was tempting, but my husband quickly eyeballed me giving me a firm "No, not going to happen."

Rejection-"the act of refusing to accept, use, or believe someone or something."

Social rejection is devastating. It evokes anxiety, depression, anger, jealousy, sadness and carries a major connection to teen suicides. Middle and high school days can be a cesspool of rejection.

Think back on ways you have experienced rejection.  (A bit more uncomfortably, recall times we have dished out rejection.) Academic acceptance, job applications, selection for a team, in the dating world, not being invited to a social event.  In reality, being excluded can end up being a protective blessing in disguise, but it still hurts.

Jesus experienced rejection.  John 1:11 reminds us...

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

God always welcomes us in. Father, we pray that you would give us eyes to see who needs to be welcomed into life by us today. In Jesus' name, Amen

PS.

It's been a few weeks since my goat encounter, but we've been invite to dinner at this home this week!  Hmm.  I may be bottle feeding goats.

The Song

"Where Would I Be" Peter Burton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9gePir11ic