Twenty-four years ago, I was rejected from the university of my dreams.

Looking back, I must have been an idiot.  That school was the only one to which I submitted an application.  Opening up the “We regret to inform you” letter, the wave of shock hit hard. 

I was so certain that I was meant for that school, I actually had the mascot inscribed into my senior class ring (before I had even applied.)  Real smart.

Thankfully, back then getting into Texas Christian University (TCU) was MUCH easier than now.  The running joke was there were 1000 high school seniors fiercely competing for 1500 spots. 

Begrudgingly, I turned in my application, halfheartedly opened the acceptance letter, and forced enthusiasm as I attended orientation and learned the school fight song.

“Just make it 4 months and you can transfer after the holidays,” I told myself.

In my head, I wasn’t at TCU – I was far away at my dream school.  I didn’t want to make friends or get involved.  I was miserable. 

And as an added bonus, in a 3-week stretch my high school girlfriend and I broke up, my grandfather passed, and my parents told me they were getting a divorce.  I sunk lower.

One day I heard a voice inside say, “Hey!  Stop feeling sorry for yourself and DO something!” I called some friends I met at orientation, stopped by a student government meeting, and signed up to volunteer in the community.

My college experience instantly changed.  The constant feeling of disappointment was replaced by curiosity as I enrolled (and eventually minored in) Japanese.  Loneliness was swapped with camaraderie as I made friends with dorm mates in my hall.  I even became a tour guide at the same school which, only weeks earlier, I had been running away from.

The rejection that was sucking my spirit had turned into fuel.  It became my 4-year mission to show “that other” university the mistake it made in not letting me in.  That motivation still drives me today.

***

Sometimes those brick walls are put up to keep others out, and to see how badly you want to get through.

Dwell on what you’ve lost and it’s a long, lonely road to nowhere.

Destiny is a tricky thing.  Disappointment is often disguised as opportunity, rerouting you to places that can make you happier than you had ever thought possible.

Garth Brooks said it best – “just because God doesn’t answer, doesn’t mean he don’t care.” 

If you know someone dealing with rejection or going through a rough spell, remind them that some of God’s greatest gifts are indeed unanswered prayers.