Rejected!

God works in interesting ways...this past week a friend asked how to deal with rejection. I don't have all the answers, but noted that Jesus was rejected and knows her pain and that often times we may be rejected because it's not where we're supposed to be and God has a better plan. It's a time for growth and character building, I told her.
How come it's so much easier to comfort a friend going through a tough time then it is to receive your own comfort from the same words you shared.
Yesterday Rejection came knocking on my door...
I was DE-FRIENDED! I wondered who would want to de-friend me (on Facebook, that is). Well, I guess when you have all these "friends" that aren't really your friends you probably don't have all that much in common after 25+ years.
I was then reminded of a comment I had left on this de-friending gal's post one day. We obviously have very different passions, interests and thinking. She's anti-Christianity and posted one day why people would bother to post scripture verses in their status boxes. She continued, if she wanted to hear that...blah, blah, blah. Then the posts started flying...lots of negative comments about Christians and I peeped up... "People post what they love and what inspires them. Many times people post things I don't agree with and I overlook it. You can overlook it or you can de-friend them." Well guess what??? She obviously took my advice and de-friended me!
At first I felt such a sting of rejection!! How could she? I'm a good friend, not one that should be de-friended. It was wearing on me and my sweetheart said, "Let it go." But, but...
Then in church yesterday listening to the sermon, I was hit with, it's not me she rejecting. It's who and what I love that she's rejecting. It's my passion for Christ and for His ways. I was then reminded of 1 Samuel 8:7 "And the Lord told him: 'Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king."
The Bible has a lot to offer on rejection. Jesus, God's own son, Rejected by the very people He came to save. The people He loves so much He was willing to die for. Doesn't make sense. How could you reject someone who loves you this much that He was willing to take all your "stuff." He had all that sin placed on his Perfect life and then died so that you and I can experience eternity with God. Sounds crazy, but true. How can we reject? I don't know. But I think many have de-friended our best friend, our advocate, the one who looks out for us because in our worldview we don't agree with him or what His Word says.
If my sting hurts, I'm guessing Jesus felt the same sting only multiplied beyond measure.
Check your friend status. Make sure you haven't de-friended the most important friend you should have.

Sports Week

This past week we were blessed to attend to Major League sporting events. We watched The Anaheim Angels beat the Mariners and then later in the week watched the L.A. Galaxy lose to FC Dallas.

Going to see the Galaxy was a huge event for our family. Being the soccer fans that they are, having the opportunity to see Beckham play was top of their "things to do" list. I was amazed how he can even concentrate with all the screaming attention he receives. Maybe it's just part of life and somehow he's able to drown it out.

What am I able to drown out by my life's distractions? Am I drowning out the right things? Drown out the call of the computer so I can play with the kids. Drown out the call of the busyness so I can enjoy some quiet moments cuddling or reading as a family. Drown out the television so I can hear God when he's speaking. Drown out the radio so I can listen to the thoughts of the kids while we're driving. Drown out the negativity of the news and focus on that which is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Am I missing out on special moments with my husband, or kids because I'm choosing to drown out the wrong thing. Anything that takes away from God, family, special friendships, peace of mind, etc. drown it out. Be like Beckham in the game...focus on what is important and why we're here.