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Topic: Rejection (11/15/04)
TITLE: The Rejected Stone By Tesiri Moweta 11/16/04 |
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“Why all this? I understand that all things work together for my good and that everything is happening for a purpose but what do I do with this pain I feel inside? Why can’t my father accept me as his son and treat me that way? I’ve seen the way you relate with your own father and I keep asking myself; “why can’t mine be that way? Someday, I'll have a family; will my family have to suffer this kind of rejection too? What have I even done? I’m beginning to make up my mind. Maybe I’ll just forget he exists and just carry on with my life – I should just call him and tell him all that…” he stood up.
“Where’re you going?” I asked looking at him strangely.
“I’m going to call my father and call it quits with him! I wasn’t joking when I said I was tired of all this.” I looked straight into his eyes and said “Sit down. Let me tell you a short story.” He sat down, sad.
“There was once a young man just like you. Had a bright future, good looking, had everything going for him but he had one snag, his father couldn’t stand him. Treated him like dirt, did everything he could to make sure that he felt like nothing. This young man couldn’t understand how or why things were like that. Once, at their annual family reunion, his father snubbed him in front of the whole family and guests. That was one of this young man’s most embarrassing moments. Have you ever greeted your dad in public and he didn’t answer you?”
“No.”
“Well, that happened to this chap, and not only that, his dad stopped paying his fees, did that ever happen to you?”
“No.”
“Plus that, immediately he was done with college, his dad kicked him out of the house not caring what he would do or where he would live. I suppose your dad kicked you out of the house as well, that man must be so …”
“No! Oh no, my dad didn’t kick me out of his house”.
“He didn’t?”
“No he didn’t!”
“Ok! This young man thrown out of the house, with no job, no roof over his head, no father, and no money felt more than miserable and utterly rejected but he turned out right later on. I mean he’s real successful now, with houses, nice wife, lovely kids, and great job. Do you know that his success in life is the greatest success in his family? Right now his so called dad can’t take any major decision without his consent. He’s not the oldest person in the family, he’s not even the first child but his responsibilities in the family are the same with the head of any family. Why? You looked so surprised Charles!”
“How did all that happen?”
“All the time his father rejected him, his mother consistently quoted Psalm 118:22 to him.She would say to him, ‘son, don’t you worry, the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. Her words have come true because they are the words of God. The rejected stone has become the cornerstone.” I looked at Charles’ face, he was clearly encouraged. I continued.
“Charles because you believe in Jesus, you’ll always shine, you’ll always be the best. It doesn’t matter who likes or dislikes you. It doesn’t matter if you’re rejected. The world and people who don’t understand what God has placed in you may reject you now, but one thing’s for sure; you’ll be the capstone and cornerstone in the end.” I saw the tears run down his face. Charles was clearly rejuvenated. He cleaned his face and asked a question I wasn’t expecting.
“This person you told me about, where is he now?”
“Right in front of you.”
His surprised look said it all as he gave me the warmest hug.