Dear
New Friends,
Can I let you in on a little secret?
I’ve always felt left out.
As a child, when our family would get together with other families, all the kids would run off and play while the moms sat in the kitchen to chat. I always stayed in the kitchen, never really fitting in with the kids.
In middle school, I remember my choir teacher telling me things will get better for you in high school because the kids will be more mature then.
By the time I got to high school, I was so excited and thought this would finally be my chance to fit in. I even became friends with a group of older kids right away but most weekends I sat by the phone hoping someone would invite me to hang out. The calls rarely came.
I’ve been blessed as an adult with rich, real friendships but still the pain of past wounds occasionally rears her ugly head like when I decided to come to this conference. The what ifs came quickly.
What if no one wants to sit with me at lunch? Those middle school cafeteria fears.
What if other bloggers wonder why I’m here and think I have no business calling myself one of them? The pain of high school rejection.
What if someone visits my site and thinks I’m a terrible writer because my words aren’t pretty and poetic like hers? The comparison trap.
But God quickly grabbed hold of my thoughts. There is something different in this community-the Allume community. See there is something to community that most of the world cannot understand. When Jesus is the center of community there shouldn’t be left-out ladies, looking-down-on-others ladies or comparison games going on. We are all the same in Christ and at Allume I felt like I belong among all of you who love Him and strive in your sphere of influence to make Him famous. My soul felt at home among you Jesus-loving sisters.
Can I let you in on a little secret?
I’ve always felt left out.
As a child, when our family would get together with other families, all the kids would run off and play while the moms sat in the kitchen to chat. I always stayed in the kitchen, never really fitting in with the kids.
In middle school, I remember my choir teacher telling me things will get better for you in high school because the kids will be more mature then.
By the time I got to high school, I was so excited and thought this would finally be my chance to fit in. I even became friends with a group of older kids right away but most weekends I sat by the phone hoping someone would invite me to hang out. The calls rarely came.
I’ve been blessed as an adult with rich, real friendships but still the pain of past wounds occasionally rears her ugly head like when I decided to come to this conference. The what ifs came quickly.
What if no one wants to sit with me at lunch? Those middle school cafeteria fears.
What if other bloggers wonder why I’m here and think I have no business calling myself one of them? The pain of high school rejection.
What if someone visits my site and thinks I’m a terrible writer because my words aren’t pretty and poetic like hers? The comparison trap.
But God quickly grabbed hold of my thoughts. There is something different in this community-the Allume community. See there is something to community that most of the world cannot understand. When Jesus is the center of community there shouldn’t be left-out ladies, looking-down-on-others ladies or comparison games going on. We are all the same in Christ and at Allume I felt like I belong among all of you who love Him and strive in your sphere of influence to make Him famous. My soul felt at home among you Jesus-loving sisters.
The
kindness of so many of you, I will not forget. For Jana who graciously took me
to and from the airport. To my roommates Lisa, Shannon and Hilary who prayed I
would feel well and put up with an insomniac who got out of bed what seemed
like a hundred times a night. To Rachel who always saved me a seat. To Darlene who blew
me air kisses whenever she saw me. To sweet Fawn who went out of her way to
find me to say goodbye. To Mary who shared her heart and journey over breakfast
one morning. To the Roo girls- Courtney, Clare, Angela, Ruth, Mandy, Darlene, Sheila
and Darlene who made me feel welcome the first night. To Kara, Kelly and
Melanie who always had a kind word for me. To Lindsey, Erica and Karen
who instantly got my story. And to so many more of you who I met in sessions,
lunch lines, elevators and airports-your kindness has touched my heart.
So to all of you for opening your arms to a girl who always feels like she doesn't quite fit in and giving her a place to belong here at Allume, for that I thank you.
Sincerely,
No Longer Left Out
Stacy
So to all of you for opening your arms to a girl who always feels like she doesn't quite fit in and giving her a place to belong here at Allume, for that I thank you.
Sincerely,
No Longer Left Out
Stacy
About the Author: Stacy Williams
Stacy lives in Central Ohio. She loves Jesus, traveling, the ocean, ice cream, seeing God answer prayer and encouraging others! She has a Bachelor’s degree is sociology and a Master’s degree in journalism and communications. She briefly worked in public relations before a chronic health condition since childhood forced her to change her plans and yield to God’s plan. She is the Creator of Finding Purpose in the Pain. Check her out on Twitter and Facebook!
