Angel with an Afro

 Good Son-Day!!!!

A Baby Boomer Virtually Surviving in the 21st Century


Angel with an Afro

Rejection, spurned, dismissal,...etc., is a feeling that is quite painful and can cause lifelong emotional complications.  The experience of losing support, love, and connection of someone or a group of people is important to us.  It is characterized by grief, which is the process and range of emotions we go through when we experience a loss.


Some of the emotions experienced with rejection include broken heart, jealousy, shame, guilt, anxiety, or embarrassment.  A perception of oneself when rejected is their relational value to others is low or none at all.  The usual coping process includes denial, anger, reflection (i.e., navigating through feelings—-what happened here—what could I have done differently, depression, and eventually some form of acceptance).


Before I provide some scriptural text I want to acknowledge that rejection feelings are real and they cut to the core. A partner to rejection is the fear of rejection because it causes tremendous anxiety.  It will paralyze our attempts to interact with another person.

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Often the fear of rejection is unwarranted.  In our own minds, we think others are looking for us to fail so they can humiliate us.   I am not saying that can’t happen, but I also would say what do you care about that person and their twisted thinking?  They are the ones with interpersonal issues, not you.  You will be victorious against those who want to harm you emotionally.

Psalm 41:5-13

5 But my enemies say nothing but evil about me.  “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask. 6 They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.  7 All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst.  8 “He has some fatal disease,” they say.  “He will never get out of that bed!”  9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.  10 Lord, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back!  11 I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me. 12 You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever.  13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting.  Amen and amen!

The reality is most people want to see you succeed.  Look for the best in people, not the worst.

Proverbs 11:27

If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!

In fall 1978, I caught my first glimpse at a vision of beauty walking through the corridors of Miller Hall. She was an angel with an afro.  During one of the chapel sessions heard melodies from heaven as she sang with the concert choir.  I joined the choir; so, she could hear my rumbling baritone voice.  The director gave a short solo in the song, “He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions”.  After singing the song at an event, this angel came over to me and said words that meant a billion dollars to me at the time, “Hi, you have a nice voice ” and she went her merry way.

Often, I would do my homework in the student union.  I noticed this angel would come down to the cafeteria at a certain time each day to microwave her Ramen noodles.   I would strike up some awkward and casual conversation to draw her attention.  After doing this for a few months, she reciprocated by initiating conversations with me.  We did this for more than six months.  I definitely was weighted in the friend zone.

I wanted to date this angel with an afro, but was afraid of rejection.  After all, she was a big city girl.  Why would she date a guy from flyover country? I contemplated that question for months. If the afro angel rejected me, my life is over.  Okay, may be a little of an exaggeration, but you can see where the fear of rejection can lead us.

Finally, as one of our cafeteria confab sessions was ending and the angel was rising from the chair to leave, I gently reached across the table and covered her hand and asked her to stay and proceeded to ask out on a date to Venice Cafe.  She agreed.         More stories to come.

That date could have happened sooner, my fear got the best of me.  Even if she had declined my request for a date, it is not the end of the world and I would feel some pain, but move on.  Her rejection of me does not diminish my worth to the world or myself.  

Regarding those who are experiencing the pain of rejection, through prayer, God definitely will provide relief.

Psalm 34:17-18

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”


Psalm 147:3

HE heals the the brokenhearted and binds their wounds


Psalm 30:5

Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.


I also would say, adding a trusted and accountable (a person who keeps you connected to the Word and prayer)  prayer partner would bolster the healing process.

Matthew 18:19-20

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”


Reflect fondly on these scripture because they are bonafide guarantees.  The real deal. Amen.


Song of the Week.  Hallelujah! Sing a New Song to GOD. Sing HIS praise in the assembly of godly people. Psalm 149:1



"Like Jesus Can", 2023, TaRanda Greene

Wonderful vocals, piano and organ production


Like Jesus Can Lyrics

If you’re hurting and you don’t know how you’re going to make it through

You keep searching down the wrong pathway’s not meant for you

I don’t know why it hurts to cry

You wanna give in, your intentions say there’s no way 

that you’ll ever breathe again

There is  absolutely positively,  nothing in this world that heals  Like Jesus can He promised He would be Everything you need and no one else can set you like Jesus can

If you’re lonely cause the wrong kind of love keeps chasing you 

Cause you’re shadowed by habits that block your view

You take the pill so you don’t feel. Cause it hurts too much

Running out of time, you’re out of touch, when will enough  be enough?

There is  absolutely positively,  nothing in this world that heals  Like Jesus can He promised He would be Everything you need and no one else can set you free like Jesus can

Jesus can mend

Jesus can shield

Jesus can save

Jesus can heal

He’ll make a way

He always will

Oh Jesus can

Jesus can mend

Jesus can shield

Jesus can save

Jesus can heal

He’ll make a way

He always will

 

Oh Jesus can

There is  absolutely positively,  nothing in this world that heals  Like Jesus can He promised He would be Everything you need and no one else can set you free like Jesus can


Oh Jesus can

Oh Jesus can

Jesus can

Oh Jesus can

Oh Jesus can

Yeah Jesus can


Oh Jesus can

Jesus can

Jesus can

Jesus can


Oh Jesus can

Jesus can

Jesus can

Jesus can

Jesus can

Jesus can


There is  absolutely positively,  nothing in this world that heals  Like Jesus can He promised He would be Everything you need and no one else can set you free like Jesus can









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