I was in preschool and it was show and tell. I had forgotten to bring something so when my name was called I quickly went to the front of the room where I twirled and danced in an attempt to show off my dress printed with flowers. I wondered if anyone knew I had forgotten. Would I get in trouble for forgetting again? Maybe they wouldn’t notice. School was my great escape. At home there was too much to fight and worry about. At that time I was too overwhelmed at home with my dad holding a gun to my moms head to remember something as simple as to bring in a Show and Tell the next day. But I was showing up. I would still make it happen. While the class gave me my space to twirl and dance and be proud my teacher was annoyed. She chimed in with “Ashley you wear that dress all the time and you have already shown it at Show and Tell.” Ashley is what I went by for a long time. That is my middle name and it was easiest for my older sister to say. When I was in kindergarten I decided to start going by my first name because there were a few other Ashley’s in my class. However, my family still called me Ashley out of habit for a long time after. There I was in my flower print dress ashamed that I didn’t have anything new to share. Worried about what my family situation would be like when I returned home. I was disappointed that what I had was not enough. I felt rejected. I was confused because no rules for show and tell had been addressed up to this point and I still broke one. I was embarrassed because now a few kids were giggling. I never wanted to break rules. I have always been a rule follower. There was always safety in rules. If I didn’t break the rules I wouldn’t get in trouble. If I didn’t break the rules no one was ever disappointed in me. Before her input I was excited about my dress that was most likely a hand me down, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to get in more trouble.
Joanna Gaines has a similar Show And Tell preschool tragedy story that she shares in her book, “The Stories We Share.” I’m sure many of you can remember back to your preschool days when your show and tell was rejected and not appreciated by all. The truth is that we have all been rejected. Here I am today at 36 and I have faced rejection on a much greater scale than the show and tell tragedy of 1991. Let’s look back at rejection in the bible days.
The woman at the well was rejected for her promiscuous lifestyle. (John 4:5-30)
The man with leprosy was rejected for his disease. (Matthew 8:1-14)
Joseph was rejected by his own brothers for being his fathers favorite. (Genesis 37-50)
BUT
Jesus loved the woman at the well. He offered her forgiveness and grace and told her to go and sin no more.
Jesus touched the man with leprosy and healed his disease .
Jesus led Joseph to becoming king.
In every story you read from the BIble where someone was rejected you see Jesus extend love, grace, forgiveness and a future. He does not accept our sin but He loves us. He demonstrates His love by calling us toward Him and never pushing us away. Our sin does not take away His perfect will for our life. Our sin might cause a pause but when we walk in the forgiveness that Jesus so freely gave on the cross, there is still so much hope for our future. There are times we are rejected not because of our own sin but because of the sinful hearts in others. Like Joseph, Jesus will take you where He has called you regardless of who tries to stop you. Trust!
As I twirled and danced in front of the class to show my flower printed dress, I believe Jesus watched me with awe. It didn’t matter to Him that He had already seen it. He wasn’t the least bit annoyed. He was proud to call me His. I believe that in heaven there is a video of the little four year old girl twirling and filled with glee and I can hear Jesus stop to cheer.
When you stand in the middle of rejection, know that Jesus stands with you. When everyone is laughing, pushing you away, walking away Jesus is calling you toward Him and cheering you on as you walk in His love.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39 NLT