Sarah slid her laptop bag off her shoulder and set it by the foyer table. Stretching her neck, she moved into the kitchen to make dinner for the family. Kayla sat in the family room, slumped on the sofa. Something was off.

            “Kayla, honey? Are you OK?”

            Kayla mumbled something unintelligible.

            Sarah approached her and joined her on the sofa. “Do you want to talk about it?”

            “You wouldn’t understand.”

            Sarah’s heart clenched. What could be going on in her teenage daughter’s life that she wouldn’t understand? “I was a high school girl once too, you know.”

            Kayla straightened and turned to her. “Look at you, Mom. You have everything together. You’re smart, fashionable, beautiful, and a successful executive. Everyone loves you. I’m nothing like you.”
            “Can you tell me what happened today anyway?”

            “I didn’t make the cheerleading squad. I had a perfect audition, but they didn’t choose me. It’s a popularity contest, and I failed. I don’t fit in with the popular kids.” She slumped back down again. “I just feel so rejected.”

            Sarah rubbed Kayla’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know you were hoping to be a part of the squad. I didn’t make the cheerleading squad when I was in high school either.”

            Kayla’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

            Sarah laughed. “Really. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Yes, I was rejected by the popular girls. But instead of letting that defeat me, I threw myself into my studies. I stopped worrying about what they thought of me and took the advanced classes. I made friends in those classes who I still keep in touch with today. Aunt Sandy and Heather are friends from high school. I discovered my love for science, which then inspired me to go on to study it in college, which led me to the career I have today. Who knows what my life would be like if I had been accepted into the cheerleading squad? I probably would have been so concerned about what all those girls thought that I wouldn’t have taken those advanced classes.”

            Kayla’s eyes held a glimmer of hope. “I like science, too. But I’m not as smart as you are.”

            “Are you kidding me? When you put your mind to it, you’re brilliant. Take all that energy you put into perfecting your cheerleading routing and funnel it toward something else. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.” Sarah smiled at her daughter. “You know I went to my 25^th high school reunion a couple of months ago, right?”

            Kayla sat up, a trace of a smile on her face. “Are you going to tell me those cheerleaders who rejected you all are in jail or in rehab or something?”

            Sarah laughed. “No, nothing like that. But yes, some of them were at the reunion. And we talked like civilized people. The thing that struck me, was that none of them stayed in touch with one another. Some went on to college, some are married with families, but that group that seemed so tight in high school really didn’t have deep friendships. Not like Sandy and Heather and me.” She brushed Kayla’s hair from her face. “Sometimes people will reject us in life. But what matters is what you do with that rejection. In my case, it helped launch me into a successful career. I ended up going to a good college where I met your father.”

            Kayla smiled. “I guess you’re right, Mom. You actually do understand. But it still hurts.”

            “Of course it hurts. God never promised us life wouldn’t hurt. Jesus Himself was certainly rejected.”

            “Yeah, that’s true. Guess He understands, too.”

            “He does. Now come help me make dinner before your dad and brother come in here complaining they’re starving.”

            Kayla laughed and followed her mom to the kitchen. “I bet those cheerleader girls don’t even know how to cook.”

            Sarah laughed along with her. “Maybe not. Good thing we do.”

Psalm 118:22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

God, You understand what it is like to be rejected. Jesus was rejected by man, yet His life was used to save mankind. When we feel misunderstood, overlooked, or rejected, it’s hard not to be beaten down by those emotions. But Jesus understands our pain. That rejection doesn’t mean we are any less worthy in Your eyes. Thank You for the wonderful example that even though Jesus was rejected, He became the cornerstone. Thank You God, that in Your hands, You can use rejection and turn it into something amazing in our lives. Please help us remember that when we are feeling the weight of the world’s rejection. Help us see Your purpose in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.