When I was in Kindergarten the dry bean I planted in a Styrofoam cup never sprouted.
Later in life, if things didn’t go so well, my mind would occasionally revisit the bean plant moment as though it were a bit of foreshadowing: Well, of course such and such didn’t work out. I’m the person whose bean plant never sprouted.
I also experienced some rejection when I was young. My bangs would never stand up the way they were supposed to (it was the 80s). (Oddly enough, no one gave me a hard time about quoting the King James Bible and warning people about the end of the world; this was acceptable. Inadequate bangs were not. Times have changed).
Rejection is something that tends to stick around in your life once you get it: it’s an invasive, aggressive vine. It climbs into your heart and mind, winds around your thoughts and emotions, chokes the life out of the good things you are trying to cultivate.
It can choke out your very life, too, if you let it.
So how do you fight this killer weed?
Rejection and failure in themselves are not the problem; the problem arises when you believe certain lies about yourself as a result of having experienced rejection and failure. With God’s help, you have to identify and uproot these lies and watch diligently for their reappearance.
Here are a few thoughts that have helped me in my attempts to fight this pernicious foe:
1. Scripture promises that “God will gather the outcasts”(Isaiah 56:8). While in human institutions, or communities, or social configurations, there are inevitably those who fall through the cracks, in God’s Kingdom, those who feel unwanted or excluded are still seen, cared for, and provided for by Him.
The love of God is not a consolation prize; it is the best thing a person can experience in this life.
2. I am part of God’s family, and my unique contribution to Christ’s church is needed (Rom 12:5).
I don’t need to wait until I feel accepted by others to start loving them.
3. The fact that I have experienced failure and rejection doesn’t mean that I should give up on worthy endeavors.
I remember a time when I got some negative feedback about some songs I’d written.
I was feeling really discouraged about it, sitting in my car drinking a Dr. Pepper, and I sort of absently twisted off the cap of the soda bottle and looked at it, because there was a promotion going on where you could win a free Dr. Pepper.
Please try again, my Dr. Pepper lid said.
Usually when you see these words, you hear it in a sort of depressed, deflated tone. Too bad, so sad. You lost. Game over.
But this time, I heard it differently; it was a pleading tone: Please try again. Don’t give up. Go home and write another song.
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Recently I helped my kids plant some dry beans in a pot. We were all elated when, a couple of days ago, there were four tiny green plants sprouting: one for each kid.
Today, while I was in the middle of writing this, my daughter informed me that a fifth bean is sprouting. “Don’t you remember, Mommy? You planted one too.”
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If things aren’t working out in your particular field of endeavor, consider this your personal Dr. Pepper lid: Please try again. Write a new song. Apply for that job. Reach out to someone. Darken the doorway of a church.
Please plant your seed again. You may miss something beautiful if you don’t.
Absolutely beautiful
Awww, the 5th bean sprouted-always! That post was TRUTH!
I did a Sunday School lesson one time, and we planted beans; because I remembered my nanna taught a SS class where she planted beans!
We were rear ended on the way home, and although shaken, we were ok. Many people don't acknowledge the spiritual world, but I don't think our enemies like bean lessons-they are too powerful! Ty for the great post!🌱