Here’s another wise teaching from my dad. After my college years, I dated a girl for a while who later rejected me. (Can you imagine anyone rejecting such a nice person like me?) My heart was hurting. When I shared my pain with my dad, and he wisely said: “Well, son, sometimes you need a dress rehearsal before the main performance.” A few years later, I met Marilynn. We’ve now been married for more than forty years, and she’s the one, true love of my life. My best friend. God’s choice for me. But I would have never fully known the joy of a wonderful marriage had I not gone through rejection first. Plus, the rejection taught me things about myself that I needed to learn. It shed light on some of my weaknesses that I needed to change, so that I could be the best possible husband for Marilynn. Dad was right. I needed a dress rehearsal before the main performance. As do most of us. All things do work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). “All things” includes rejection. The next time you encounter a rejection, remember my dad’s sage counsel. Sometimes we need a dress rehearsal before the main performance.