On The Edge

Ever been on the outside looking in?  Are you going through a rough patch and your situation seems magnified by the interactions around you?  Feeling lonely but surrounded by tons of people?

We all want to be included. We all want to be a part of a group that welcomes us even with all of our crazy. Actually, we want this group that EMBRACES the cray-cray. Thanks to social media, we are more connected than ever….right?  Maybe in some ways. But I find these connections are mostly superficial. On the flip side, we are also exposed to events and situations where we find we have not been included. Anyone else find themselves asking these questions….Why wasn’t I invited?  Have I don’t something wrong?  What are they saying about me?

Wait. Let’s hit the pause button for a second before we get this pity party going full force. What if there is some truth to our fears?  Okay. Not feeling any better. (Hang with me). But what if I am projecting my perception of the situation onto others?

Here’s what I mean. Maybe, just maybe, your friend is distracted by the weight of their world and didn’t mean to ignore you.  Or maybe a group of people was deep in conversation, but it had nothing to do with you. Maybe my insecurities are feeding my fears when the reality is far different. I know I live distracted most of the time so I know I’ve unintentionally missed opportunities to connect with others. 

We don’t know what’s going on in another’s world…what’s hiding behind that pretend smile or the cracks that are about to break wide open at any given time. I know that at times I’m really good about putting on my game face and hiding my true feelings in public and honestly with those I most trust. (Guess I’m doing the opposite right now.). But you know what I’m discovering through the writing process?  It feels so good to let the real me out into the world. The me that is hurt when I’m not included, the me that is confused, the me that is exhausted. How about this one?  The me that can’t seem to shake my worry about what others think of me. 

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Galatians 6:2

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

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So what if our fears ARE the reality?  Then I say it’s not our worry. Why am I focusing on all the ways I’m not being included instead of in all the areas I am?  Sometimes people come into your life for only a season….and that’s okay. We don’t have to be bestest friends with everyone (although my 4 year old might disagree). But we DO need to be respectful of one another. We are ALL in this thing called life together.

So I ask myself this question:  am I doing this very same thing to others? Maybe not intentionally, but I know it must happen. I know there have been times my actions have brought others hurt. I know because I’m human. I know because I’m so stuck in my own little pity party with my eyes turned inward that I can’t see the person right in front of me feeling the same way, needing a quick hello. How about eye contact and a smile?

So today my challenge is to look outward, beyond my core tribe. Reach out to someone who crosses your path and take just one minute to enter THEIR world. Text an old friend you have lost contact with and let them know you are thinking about them. Better yet, snail mail it!  I LOVE getting unexpected notes. We have so much love to share, and it doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone else’s life! 

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Mathew 18:20

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

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How about we Come 2 the Table and be the difference today….one day at a time. Comment below when you’ve done your point of contact and let’s watch how our little group can make a difference. 

In Him,

Ashley

“This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

~ Psalm 118:24