Humble Rejection

     Humbling... If I had to use one word to describe the past year of my life it would be humbling.  That word is a little more polite than some other words at times I would have wanted to use.  But looking back now I can use it with certainty and thankfulness.
    Just to even come back to Toledo for my final year of school this past year I had to borrow a significant amount of money from a few people.  While student teaching, I had no phone, car, or job.  My roommates pitched in and fed me and helped me out.  Those experiences are definitely humbling.  At first I complained about my situation but I can look back now and say that I am extremely thankful.
    Along with the struggles with money and such another common theme was rejection.  Now we all face rejection, some more than others.  And on the surface level rejection sucks and it is also extremely humbling, that is putting it nicely.  Whether it was in relationships or school or whatever, rejection stung hard and at first  I was pissed at the Lord for it.  This summer has seen a lot of rejection for me.  Looking for a job... being told you are not qualified, being told you are not even worthy of an interview. Humbling.
   But check it out.  Being humbled is good.  In some way being rejected is good.  I have been realizing that I have so much to be thankful for that sometimes I act like I deserve everything handed to me.  Being rejected by employers has taught me to appreciate my education more, it has given more drive, a chip on my shoulder.  And when I get that teaching job I am going to be the best teacher I can and I am going to reward my school for taking that chance on me and my bad GPA.  And being broke all the time has humbled me and taught me to appreciate what I have and not complain.  Appreciate the help and support from friends.  And when I am rejected in relationships (friendly relationships for the most part) I need to be thankful for the friends I have.  Because I have some of the greatest friends and I need to appreciate that.
     Pretty simply, when you are humbled or rejected there is most likely a good reason for it.  I have all ready been given life through Christ, all else is a bonus.  So stop and think about our difficulties and accept humbleness, understand rejection.

Love Y'all
Oph