*to fully understand the follow up of this post, please read
this
one*
When I moved to Colorado, I made myself promise that I would
get out there. Meet people. *big gulp*. I wasn’t going to lay on my bed every
Saturday and Sunday afternoon and reading the latest Julie Lessman novel and
just be content.
I wasn’t going to do that. I was going to walk into church,
worship and not just walk out. And I
asked you to hold me to that. So every time I walked into church and was told
to greet someone I didn’t know on my way out (ie: everyone) I thought of that
post. And the promise I made to actually do
it. And every time I would suck in my stomach, take a deep breath, untangle
my fingers from around my Bible and…keep on walking.
Sigh.
Old habits die hard.
So instead I took a baby step into the singles/college
group. When you’re the new girl on the block, everyone notices when you walk through the doors. Everyone. But I introduced myself. Met a
few people, enjoyed the Bible study and kept on walking out the door when it
was all over.
I was mourning my situation with a dear friend. “Where have all the good young people gone?”
Is no one interested in morals and living a pure life? Of walking in holiness
with God? Not just calling yourself a Christian, but actually living your life
for Jesus? I knew I wasn’t giving it enough time, but still the willingness to
keep putting myself out there, unsure how other people viewed me, had my nerves
in knots and my feelings on the fray.
I was ready to give up. Just say, you know what, this whole,
“trying to get to know people my age is for the birds”.
But I couldn’t give up the class. Not yet. If nothing else,
the lessons were good. And I was getting out. You never know what might come of
that. So I kept going. Hoping, but not very hopeful.
But my promise kept pecking away in my mind.
So I went. One more time.
And God…blew me away.
Ah! I love this girl! |
And I’ve know her less than a month.
I’ve always heard this phenomenon called: “instantly clicked”.
Never believed it would happen to me. Ever. I don’t make friends that easily.
Wow the gift that this friendship has already been to me. I feel like I have years to catch up on and am so excited for the godly gift of a friend who lives what she believes. Who walks the walk, oh and yeah, likes hanging out with me too.
Wow the gift that this friendship has already been to me. I feel like I have years to catch up on and am so excited for the godly gift of a friend who lives what she believes. Who walks the walk, oh and yeah, likes hanging out with me too.
So this whole making new friends saga? I definitely vote
yay.
This makes me SO happy!!!! I'm so proud of you for putting yourself out there...and so cool that you've met a kindred spirit friend...love it...and you!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Julia! It's an amazing to have a friend like this--after basically a month! I wish I could bring her with me to ACFW or a AC retreat, because you all would seriously love her as much as I do!
DeleteIt made me smile to read this, dear girl! I love that you got an "instantly clicked" friend. I love those kind! :)
ReplyDeleteI've NEVER had that, so I am still walking around in awe. God is simply amazing. I went back over my previous post to this one and God took all those things I said would never happen to me and blessed them beyond comparison. Wow.
DeleteOkay, it's 8:15 AM in the morning, and I'm sitting here sobbing my guts out. Why? Well, it's true I slept late and am still sluggish because I've only had two sips of coffee, but the real reason is that one of the most precious people I know has FINALLY met a new friend in Colorado who sounds as special as her. YAY, GOD!! YAY, CASE!!
ReplyDeleteI am SO proud of you and SO happy for both you AND Sarah because light DOES need light in a dark world, and I have a feeling you and she together are going to be a triple-watt lighthouse for the young people in CO, so you go, girls!!
And although I USUALLY don't tell young women to ditch the book on weekends (smile ... especially if it's mine ... ;)), I am ECSTATIC at the prospect of you two powerhouses shining His light in CO and adding to your numbers until everyone you meet blinks and pulls out their shades. :)
You just made my day, Case, and it's barely started. I think this may be close to a record of the earliest I've cried in a day ... ;)
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
You know how much our email conversation impacted me, Julie?? You were the friend I was bemoaning too and ever since I stuck it out and truly met Sarah, I've been thinking about nothing less than that email exchange.
DeleteShe DOES shine Jesus and to talk with her is like talking to myself--we so many of the same things. Even down to little silly things like dislike hard boiled eggs. ;-) I feel like I have a lifetime of knowing her to catch up on, what a great problem to have!!
s*m*i*l*i*n*g
ReplyDeleteSo am I, Kathleen. So am I.
DeleteSo happy for you, Casey! Friends are treasures indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue! I have always been blessed, especially amongst ACFW, but not truly with a face to face friend I get to see on a regular basis!
DeleteThis is SO awesome! Oh my word--I could tell an identical story--up to the finding a friend part--pretty much verbatim!
ReplyDeleteDo tell, Meghan!
DeleteThis calls for my favorite phrase of joy: "hippy-skippy-chickie!!" !!!! Praise the Lord. I think it's a huge myth that friendship comes more easily for others than me. Sure, some struggle more, and I ache, literally ache over that. But, seriously Satan likes to take this and run with it. But you stuck it out because God is your anchor, your root, and firm foundation no matter what. There are millions, MILLIONS, of girls and women who slug through this stuff. All. The. Time. I'm so proud of you for sticking it out, and for being honest and "out there" about your story. I pray it will encourage another young lady out there somewhere sitting in a pew, hoping for a friend!
ReplyDeleteoh poo. Autocorrect messed up my favorite phrase! Take two: "Yippee-skippy-chickie!" :)
DeleteSo do I, Anne! Because if I can do it, anyone can do it. Thank you for leaving your kind and encouraging comment! I have found my blogging one of the better ways to be honest and vulnerable--something I don't do very well in real life. I've learned a lot from those like you who take the time to comment. Thank you!
DeleteLoved this Casey! When my BFF and I met there was an immediate click too--even if we were polar opposites! Truly God ordained. She has been a huge influence in my life that has brought too many blessings to count in the past 23 years. Love hearing of His faithfulness in your life!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing how this worked out. Never, ever would have thought it was possible to connect with someone SO thoroughly as I have this girl. It's an awesome thing and just one more way to point people back to God and say "see what He did?!"
Delete