Blessing from Exclusion

It happens to everyone at some point. 

To parents, children, and even families.

At work, school, church, and sometimes in extended family.

The feeling that you have been excluded. 

It's a sad and hurtful feeling and can even allow anger to show it's face.

So where's the blessing?

The world gives us lots of advice on this subject.  Many ways to help your teen or tween not to be excluded.  A list of steps to take to ensure they're never excluded. 

 

Here's how we handle it Hagerty Style:

We don't believe this feeling can be blamed on others.  We are responsible for how we feel.
Most of the time when we perceive we've been excluded, we are wrong.  People do not think about us as much as we think they do.  Sometimes, it is simply an oversight.  It still hurts.  It can still cause anger.  But we must stop and remember we have a choice to stew and be angry or a choice to be happy. 
When we sit and think about the things I want, I wish, I plan.... we find ourselves right in the middle of sIn.  Focusing on all our "I feels" rather than on the Father and His feels, His wants, His plans.  That feeling of "I'm left out" distracts us from our goal of I'm His and I'm following His will and He will provide all I need.  That distraction allows space for the enemy to lie to us and continue to distract us. 
The blessing that comes from exclusion is the opportunity to draw closer to Him.  To see new plans He has made and to tune our listening ear of discernment.  It also is an opportunity to rejoice in Him and continue sharing His joy in all things.  We also gain the blessing of social empathy for others.  An intentional lifestyle of sharing hospitality in every situation. 

Blessings come in many ways.  Like the song says, "what if our greatest disappointments, or the achings of this life, are the revealing of a greater need this world can't satisfy.  What if trials of this life, are Your mercies in disguise.