The Blessing in Rejections

There were several opportunities in our family life where we almost relocated to another country but every time we get close to moving, something will always happen and it just wouldn’t push through. It wasn’t until this week that the reasons for all the rejections became crystal clear to me.

I was chatting with a friend over lunch about our past and the adversities we encountered. I was compelled to look back on those times our prayers weren’t answered the way we expected. We both then realized how God’s plan from way back is still at work: we are exactly where we are called to grow.

The Missed Opportunities:

2009

I was pregnant with our eldest, Ry, the same time I was granted a non-immigrant visa to the US. I took this once in a lifetime opportunity and Mike and I had this plan that he’ll just follow us to the States so we can all live and raise our family there permanently. Unfortunately, he was denied for a visa not once but twice which led us to the decision that it wasn’t going to work and we just have to move back home.

2019

Mike got a job in Singapore so we thought maybe this was the chance we’ve been waiting for. We went as far as looking for places to live, imagining our kids playing at East Coast Park, and had this rough computation of how much we need to move the family there. 2020 came and COVID happened and everything went into complete disarray. Mike was staying with us in Manila when the company he was working for decided to let him go.

2024

Following my sister’s passing, we were granted the guardianship of my 9-year-old niece which put a pause on our thoughts of relocating knowing we would need time to adjust and settle in first as a family of five.

But a couple of months ago, Mike had this very appealing job opportunity that required us to move to Dumaguete and once again, our minds went on hyper mode as we started researching about the place and how we’ll move our stuff. Sadly, the offer just didn’t materialize.

Despite giving up my non-immigrant visa from 2009, my parents were able to find a way to continue the petition. But a few weeks ago, we received a letter from USCIS telling us that unfortunately, there were some criteria that we didn’t meet ultimately forcing them to reject my application.

The Lesson

I bet some people would think of how our life so far as a series of unfortunate events or that maybe we’re not living right.

Honestly, I could easily think the same, or worse, I could have looked at this timeline and say, “Lord, it seems like you don’t really care for us. Instead of helping us live our dreams, it feels like you’re being selfish.”

And if I am to be completely honest, sometimes, I am tempted to.

But I know the kind of Father God is—His being, His character.

Our lives could have turned had every relocation opportunity been granted to us. We could have had access to a “better” life and we’ll be stuck in the idea that a better life will make us better people, better spouses, better parents.

Then I’d ponder: if our life did turn the way we planned it to be, if everything became so easy, what kind of spiritual life would we have? What lessons would we have learned and, as a result, impart to our children?

Would I be here today writing and telling you this story?

God knows what to withhold from us and for how long because He knows the kind of person we are more than ourselves or anyone else. Therefore I chose to see every rejection we faced (and will be facing) as opportunities to humble ourselves, on our knees, abiding to The One who will always provide.

I am convinced that every time we feel lost, we are not really lost. Sometimes, we are just being rerouted to a much better path.

And in the grand scheme of things, He, as always, has a bigger purpose.

Despite all the setbacks, God blessed Mike with a new job in a very good company with an office 20 minutes away from our house. As to what big purpose He has, I don’t know yet. Perhaps I’ll write about it again in a year or two.

Thank you to my friend, S, for inspiring me to share this story and for making me realize how much blessed I am.