Sensitive Little Flower

Matthew 26:73-74: “After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, ‘Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.’ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed.”

The red-faced, shy, pudgy girl raced to the table. She wanted to sit next to him. She thought that if she did, he might say or do something.

They ate in silence for a bit: her heart was a bobbing empty bottle on the ocean. Why does he just sit there?

Then he smiled: her bottle heart was a new boat now: freshly-painted and sturdy, able to take on the waves.

Years later, she still has the same heart.

It’s hard not to be controlled by the approval or disapproval of others.  It helps to know that Jesus experienced personal rejection. The Lord is denied by his disciple, Peter, three times.  This was a man who was a close friend of Jesus. 

I am a sensitive person who often crumbles when rejected by those I love. I am tempted to think that I am not full unless I have the approval of everyone.  In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Lord says:  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

This is the way out: Let your heart be consumed by the Lord. Depending on the approval of others won’t work. Float confidently in the Father’s loving hands.