One of the redeeming qualities of growing old, in my opinion, is that one realizes that all those quaint sayings heard throughout one’s lifetime were, in fact, truths. This one came to mind as I listened to an RV friend recount how her neighbor, another winter Texan who’d been friendly to her just last year, no longer acknowledged her. That very thing happened to me, and I remember it like it was yesterday: the who (a boating friend), the what (suddenly stopped talking to me one day), the where (a marina in Port Aransas, Texas) and the when (1994). I just don’t know the ‘why.’ Never did.
It hurt badly at the time, but now I realize that my sadness was from “not knowing.” I had taken it personally despite asking repeatedly if I’d done or said anything wrong. There never was a resolution, unfortunately, and we eventually went our separate ways. I hadn’t thought about the incident in years.
That was just one of many times throughout my life I’ve met rejection. At the time, each one was painful. It takes growing old to see the truth in each one: that that person/job/appointment/place/whatever just wasn’t part of God’s Plan for me. I didn’t see it at the time.
I’m growing old, and still learning as I go along, hopefully …especially when it comes to being grateful in all circumstances. Even rejection. As long as my side of the street is clear, I now know man’s rejection is God’s protection. Practicing daily gratitude has helped me develop trust God’s Plan for me, especially because I don’t know all the details or why things happen the way they do. I’ve learned that it’s better than anything I could ever imagine.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. ~Reinhold Niebuhr
