Rejection Hurts...

I moved from a friendly small town in the midwest to a suburb of Washington, D.C., when my children were not yet old enough to attend school. My first shock came when we entered a grocery store and I smiled at the clerk who waited on us. No return smile! I tried smiling at people I'd pass and found not one friendly face. Weeks and months passed. Still whenever I reached out to smile or share a friendly word with a stranger, the only thing I received in return was a cold, or distant return glance. That was a very hard time of life for me.

I wonder if that's what God feels when He smiles down on us and we ignore Him. Jesus walked the earth and people refused to listen, denied Him, and killed Him. How His heart must have hurt to be dying for our sins while being rejected by the people He'd come to save. Each and every day, God smiles down on us with the blessing of another sunrise, another sunset, clothing on our backs, food for our stomachs, shelter, and more...so much more. Yet, few thank Him.

Today, I still smile and speak to strangers. Sometimes I get a smile in return, sometimes we strike up a conversation, but sometimes I get rejected. It still hurts. Sometimes I think an ungrateful word, or silently call them an unkind name. That isn't what Jesus would do. So, each day I try to remember to share my smile and kind word without expecting anything in return. How can I love others less than God does?

Worry Not, But Walk in Faith

I was saddened to hear that my son-in-law lost his job last week due to downsizing. Right now so many are unemployed and the numbers keep rising. Knowing how first-hand how difficult the situation, I was appalled to hear this story yesterday.

A senior manager at my place of employment told the story about having to rent Escalades complete with drivers for some "big wheels" who were coming to Ohio to visit our locations and promote new products. Fourteen people are flying in on a private jet to be escorted in these large vehicles to our location and they will have a huge catered lunch. Rather than ask them what they want to eat, the caterer has been instructed to bring fourteen steaks, fourteen fish, fourteen chicken, etc. The waste and pretentiousness sickens me when I think of how other employees in our facility struggle just to make enough money to feed their families.

Wealth makes greed. It is the devil's delight.

For me, I take comfort reading Luke 12 22-28.

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or enoughclothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. ANd you are far mor valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"

God, please bless those who read this message today. I pray they turn to you and walk in faith. Amen.