When Others Reject Us

“Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Ps.27:10

Have you ever felt the sting of rejection or been misunderstood by those who should know and love you best? That is a very difficult thing for us and it was a feeling that the shepherd, David understood very well. When Samuel was sent on a mission to find the next King to replace Saul, God sent him to the home of Jesse.

Jesse had eight sons. After hearing from Samuel’s lips, that he was there to anoint the King God had chosen, Jesse brought his first seven sons in for Samuel to get acquainted with. Samuel asked if there were any others. “Yes, there is another…the youngest,” Jesse stammered. In those days, the word “youngest” not only referred to his age, but also his rank. Jesse hadn’t considered David kingly material. The minute David walked into the presence of Samuel, God spoke to Samuel’s heart and said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” (I Sam. 16:12NASB) Samuel took the oil and wordlessly obeyed his Lord.

Perhaps feeling the lack of value from his own father and brothers prepared David for what was to come. This may very well be the setting for David’s words, “Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Ps.27:10

David’s heart had been prepared for leading God’s people because he had been tending his father’s sheep for years. Was it spending time alone with only sheep to talk to that made David sensitive to God’s leading? The solitude and quietness could have been factors which allowed David to hear God’s voice as He was shaping the heart of this sensitive shepherd to lead a very stubborn people.

Loneliness and rejection or a lack of value in the eyes of others can be very devastating. When we feel this way, we need to remember David’s words in this verse, “the Lord will receive me.” The Lord did receive him. He chose him as King, a King after God’s own heart. God has chosen You to be His child! “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it to you.” John 15:16 Rejoice in that truth! Thank you, Abba Father, that you love me so much that nothing can separate that love! Amen.

*copyrighted 2001

How Do You Spell Relief?

“…God is near. Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God, and the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and give you His peace.” Phil. 4:5b-7

How Do You Spell Relief? P R A Y E R

My friend and I had just walked into the kitchen from outside.
It was February and even for Southern California, there was a definite winter chill in the air. We sat down to have a warm cup of tea in my kitchen, but soon my five-year old daughter, Jenny, interrupted our conversation.

Jenny had strep throat and we were medicating her as the doctor had prescribed, but she still wasn’t feeling well and showed me a “sore” on her neck. It was a very large, two-by-two inch blister, which prompted me to call our doctor immediately. After describing what I saw, he told me she’d be fine over the weekend. But, when they opened Monday morning, we met the doctor at his office. He was amazed at her condition, and walked her across the street to the hospital right then.

The diagnosis was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, brought on by an allergic reaction to the medications, and or the disease of strep itself. My husband and I were in a panic…in tears and very confused. We watched as they donned hospital gowns and masks and placed Jenny in “reverse isolation” so that the now-exposed raw skin would not become infected by any of us. They treated her by soaking her four times a day in saline solution (salt), just as they would do for a burn patient and administering drugs to keep this allergic reaction under as much control as possible. Every time they came in to soak Jenny, she would plead with me not to let them “do that to her again!” But there was nothing I could do, except feel helpless and totally out of control.

The second day I was out walking in the hallway to escape for a few minutes, while my husband sat next to Jenny, and I remembered a verse I had been memorizing, “Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God and the peace of God which passes all human understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7) I recall saying in my heart to God, “how can I not be anxious over this little child’s situation?” “Please heal her “ I muttered and said “but if you choose not to, I will accept that but help me!” Even though I was so distressed at that moment, as I prayed I began to feel relief. A weight was lifted from me.

I had felt just like a teapot turned on high! I began churning, bubbling and finally blowing my top. I was helpless as we carried Jenny into that hospital and watched as they began to treat her illness. But when I prayed, I felt the pressure fade, replaced by the peace of God. Just as one of my favorite verses declares, “the peace of God which passes all human understanding shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and give you peace.” Prayer can relieve your pressure too! It’s as close as the next whisper of His name…JESUS!

** Copyrighted 1999

Dear Daughter

When I think of my youngest daughter, Sheryl, this is what my heart cries out:

Dear Daughter~
I gave you life
But I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things
But I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions
But I cannot always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom
But I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church
But I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong
But I can’t always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes
But I cannot make you lovely inside.
I can offer you advice
But I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love
But I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend
But I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share
But I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect
But I can’t force you to show honor.
I can grieve about your report card
But I cannot doubt your teachers.
I can advise you about friends
But I cannot choose them for you.
I can teach you about sex
But I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life
But I can’t build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink
But I can’t say NO for you.
I can warn you about drugs
But I can’t prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals
But I can’t achieve them for you.
I can let you babysit
But I can’t be responsible for your actions.
I can teach you kindness
But I can’t force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins
But I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as a daughter
But I cannot place you in God’s family.
I can pray for you
But I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus
But I cannot make Him your Savior.
I can teach you to obey
But I cannot make Jesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live
But I cannot give you eternal life.
Love, Your Mom (anonymous)