The Sting of Rejection

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31 NIV)

We all have felt the sting of rejection on occasion.  Sometimes it is intentional and loud, when someone tells you they don't like you in whatever words they use.  Sometimes it is so subtle that even the rejector doesn't realize what they are doing.  It's the group of friends at the gathering that avoid the table where a lone person sits waiting for company.  It's the glazed-over eyes in response to a person trying to engage someone in conversation.  It's unanswered or unreturned phone calls, emails or even FaceBook friend requests.

Rejection hurts when we are on the receiving end, and still, we all reject others from time to time even knowing the hurt it causes.  Rejecting another makes us feel a little superior for a while... at least until we feel rejected again.

Make an effort today to catch yourself in an act of subconsciously rejecting another and change your path.  Embrace them.... if not physically, certainly emotionally.  You will change so much.  You will give that person a better self-image and make them happier for the moment.  And you will change a little something within yourself for the better.  And who knows... you might even make a new friend.

Lord Jesus,
No one knows the sting of rejection better than you do; and each time we reject another person we are, in essence rejecting you.  Help us to be more mindful of our intentional and unintentional interactions with those around us.  Help us to be more embracing.  Help us to walk toward relationships rather than away from them.  Amen.

Joys: Wedding preparations; some sunshine today; good pimeto cheese... a true southern delicacy