Scrapbooking

I am so thankful to get to take a few minutes out of my busy life to share about an awesome experience I had last night.  I will have to share later why all the busyness, which is an awesome story all of it's own.

When a dear friend invited me to her house for a scrapbooking night, I was eager to go but definitely held some reservations in the back of my mind.  NOT at all because of the ladies involved!  I love all of them!

My skepticism comes from the myriad of mediocre and just down right bad experiences I've had when I am an outsider.  By outsider, I mean the least known person to the group or the newest one in the group.  That's a strength and weakness of a small church.  People who grew up together or have been in the same social circles for so long often are very close knit and can have a difficult time bringing in new people. 

Since I certainly needed some time around other people, I headed for my friend's house with my skepticism in check. 

I was so pleasantly surprised.  It was probably the best evening I've had and for so many reasons.  We talked, openly and honestly.  We shared serious stuff.  We laughed.  We laughed some more.  We did it all without fear of judgment.  We talked about things that scare us and future life plans.  I'm pretty sure we did some scrapbooking, but it certainly wasn't the main topic. 

Most of all, I was just one of them.  I've never had an experience where I so naturally felt a part of a small group the way I did this one.  It was one of the rare times I walked away sad it was over and anxiously awaiting the next time we could get together.

The other three ladies have known each other far longer than I have known any of them.  And, I know it was a short break from the ins and outs of everyday life for them.  For me, it was so much more. 

I needed a night like this.  I needed a renewed hope that I could naturally fit somewhere without it being difficult for me.  I needed to know there was a place I could be myself and not fear being judged.  I needed to hear that beyond the happy faces that grace the church doors on Sunday morning, there are people who have messy lives.  I needed to know I wasn't going to forever be an outsider.

I share this solely for myself.  There will be many more times when I struggle to find that natural fit and feeling, especially in the church body.  I needed to be reminded that my place does exist and there are people who are caring, loving and not judgmental.