I’ve Been Rejected.

I recently received this message in my campus mailbox:

Re:  Your application to Job Opening # 42326

Posting Title : Met Eng Rotational Program

Dear Erin Gancer,

We enjoyed the opportunity to interview you and wish to thank you for your interest
in Caterpillar Inc.

We regret to inform you that we are not able to offer employment at this time.  We
wish you finding success in suitable employment.

Any personal information you have provided will be governed by Caterpillar’s Data
Privacy Policy.  If you have any questions, you can view the policy in its entirety
at www.JoinTeamCaterpillar.com.

Caterpillar Inc.

I’ve been rejected. 

Now, I finished my degree in 2006, and I’ve been gainfully employed for quite some time now, so this “Dear Engineer” letter didn’t sting too badly.  (read: I laughed out loud.)  But it made me think, “How do I respond to rejection?” 

I don’t like it.  (Does anyone?)  I’ll normally run from it.  That probably means I have some fear of it.  I’m familliar with it as an adolescent.  I’m not used to it as an adult.  Hrm..  Does my fear of rejection impact my life positively or negatively?…does it make me a better worker, or a scared worker?  Who can reject me?  Who can’t? 

Now some Truth: God hasn’t rejected me, but adopted me as his child.  He’s told me ahead of time that the world won’t be fair, and that it won’t accept me if I set myself apart for Him.  He’s also promised to be with me as I fulfill the purposes he has for me.  Even if everyone else brushes me off, He NEVER will.  That’s good.

Father, what do I need to change in my thinking and my actions so that I can better understand your perspective on worldly rejection?

Winters Gone Bye

There are times that I can’t believe that I was actually a university student, participating in university activities and traditions. I had a lot of fun, made lasting friendships, learned how to learn, how to serve, how to live as a Christian in the world. I know how valuable that experience was, training me for my current mission in Ham-town. In my memory I was so young, so unexperienced and immature. It feels ages in the past, until days like today.

On days like today I look back with thankfulness.

It wasn’t perfect. But it was home base for five years.

 

I was surprised to realize that this week at Michigan Tech, Winter Carnival is ramping up. My feelings are mixed about this yearly tradition. I was glad to be a part of it – working together building snow statues is great fun, late nights provide great memories, and opportunities to witness to people on campus at 2am aren’t soon forgotton. I am sad, too, knowing what kind of crap takes place during carnival that MTU doesn’t advertise. As the word carnival implies..well…perhaps you get the picture.

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. Romans 13:13

Like I said, mixed feelings…hrm. Tech will be high on my prayer list this week.