Prayer Journal #16

 "Father, help me shake off criticism and rejection.  When I must deal with it, help me to do so wisely and in accordance with Your will.   In Jesus' name.  Amen."

 

My friend Rhonda posted in our devotional page this morning about her mother's rejection of her once again.  This is something that happened to me frequently during my childhood and continued through my adult life.  I understand.  I went through the feelings of  "Why don't you just love me?" when my mother sprinkled her seeds of discontent on my happiness.  When she found the negative in every positive thing I did.  When she took the joy out of so many occasions because of her comments.  When she refused to attend various events, even trying to stay home instead of attending Megan and Matt's wedding a Grandmother of the Bride.  I stood at her casket and asked her the same thing "Why didn't you love me?"

I have to admit that I didn't "deal with it wisely and in accordance with Your will" all the time.  Actually I did not stay with God's will very often at all. All of her attacks hurt me.  When it trickles down and hurts my daughters, that is just terribly offensive.  How do I explain to Megan and Hilary that Grandma can't attend Grandparents' Day at their elementary school because she has a hair appointment that day?  A hair appointment.   Every Friday.  That she cannot miss.   For anything.   I admit that this was tough for me and I harbored ill will for many years.  But I need to move on and I have.  Yes, I have, even though I just typed all this here.

Criticism and rejection.  Two big things that can hurt badly.  But with God's help, we can get through the pain.  He will provide healing for us and vindicate the wrongs we have suffered.