When People Leave You Out

It happened at the playground. One of those simple moments that turned into a full-blown lesson—not just for the kids, but for me too.

My daughter and son were doing what they always do when we hit a new spot—looking for a new friend. They spotted a little girl about their age and ran over to play. But the girl told her grandfather she wanted to play alone.

Okay, cool. Not everybody is in a playful mood right away. We respected that.

But a little while later, the girl changed her mind. She was ready to play—but only wanted to play with my son.

Now let me tell you something. My son is sweet, and of course he was ready to play. But I pulled him aside and said:
“You can’t play with her unless she makes space for your sister too.”

Not to be petty, not to punish—but to teach.
Because I believe in raising kids who value inclusion, not exclusivity. Who understand that if it doesn’t make room for the people you love, it’s not really love at all.

The little girl walked off by herself. Then she told her grandfather that my kids gave her the thumbs down. (Which was true—they absolutely did. Kids can be petty, too 😂)

But that’s when the grandfather came through with some real wisdom. He said:
“Well, you didn’t want to play with them at first. Now you only want to play with one. That’s not nice. You should apologize.”

Whew. I wanted to high-five that man on the spot.

A few moments later, the little girl came back and told my daughter she was sorry. She asked if they could all play together.

My daughter didn’t answer right away. Her face was still holding that hurt. She’s only six, but she knows what it feels like to be left out.

Eventually, she gave the girl another chance—and before I knew it, the three of them were sliding, laughing, and chasing each other like it never happened.

Rejection Hurts—Even When You’re Little

Later that evening, my daughter brought it up.
“Why didn’t she want to play with me?” she asked.

I told her the truth: “Sometimes people don’t want to play. Sometimes they do. But that doesn’t change how amazing you are.”

She wasn’t trying to hear it. She’s six. She just wanted to be included.

But that whole moment reminded me—we all feel that way sometimes.
Nobody likes being the one left out.
Even as adults, we want to be chosen, invited, seen.
And when we’re not, it stings.

But I reminded my baby girl—and I’m reminding you too:
Your worth doesn’t change just because someone didn’t make space for you.

The GOD Lesson

Sometimes people don't see the value you carry right away. Sometimes they pick and choose. Sometimes they’re just not ready.

But real love makes room.
Real love doesn’t divide.
Real love doesn’t play favorites.

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) says,
“There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

Real friends show up with their whole heart. They don’t leave others behind just to feel chosen themselves. They don’t chase acceptance at the cost of someone else’s dignity.

Keep Making Space

That little girl made a mistake—and then she made it right. And that’s the part I hold onto.

We all mess up.
We all exclude sometimes.
We all miss the mark.

But the beauty is in what comes after—the apology. The growth. The grace.

So whether you’re the one being left out or the one who left someone out—there’s still room to grow, to reconnect, to make space again.

Because love isn’t just about who shows up—it’s about who you make room for.