So today, I did something daring and new. Leading up the event, I was petrified like a freshman on the first day of high school. I almost didn’t go. I almost through away my plans just because I was afraid. But I didn’t. To some, it may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it was monumental.
Tonight, I went to a benefit concert by myself, not planning to meet any specific person there, and only hopefully that someone would grant me the grace of a conversation.
Being a transfer student at a state university is tough, especially having a job and living off campus. It is hard to really get to know anyone outside of class or know how to get involved. I go through a range of emotions from being so enthusiastic to put myself out there to feeling completely defeated when someone forgets my name. But that is not how it should be, I learned that tonight.
The benefit concert was at a new local non-profit called Lemon Drop—all about promoting creative efforts in Springfield. The benefit concert was for to raise money for a young boy in Nepal to be able to return to his family. It was a good cause, so I thought why not.
I frantically searched for someone to go on this adventure with me, but everyone was busy. I saw that some people from my church, Emmaus, that I was acquainted with were attending on Facebook, so I prayed they would show up and possibly talk with me.
7:30 rolled around and my stomach got sick. I did not want to go. I didn't know what to wear. Where it was. Who was going to be there. I was going alone into a abyss of strangers.
Little did I know that if I gave myself and the people around me a little grace, I might actually form friendships.
The night was fantastic! The bands were fun. I bought a journal from India and two adorable photographs of children. But most importantly, I met people. A wonderful girl from my church introduced me to all these other people that go there. I sat a chat with some girls involved in campus ministries. I talked to a friend from a Bible study I visited and got introduced to her friend who studies Speech Pathology.
All in all, I felt like I belonged--which is a feeling I don't think I have felt since high school drama club or every Wednesday when I relive those glory days via Glee on Hulu.
I am so happy that I gave myself grace and put myself out there. I learned that GRACE is ESSENTIAL to forming new friendships, and I hope that those friendships will just continue to grow.
I frantically searched for someone to go on this adventure with me, but everyone was busy. I saw that some people from my church, Emmaus, that I was acquainted with were attending on Facebook, so I prayed they would show up and possibly talk with me.
7:30 rolled around and my stomach got sick. I did not want to go. I didn't know what to wear. Where it was. Who was going to be there. I was going alone into a abyss of strangers.
Little did I know that if I gave myself and the people around me a little grace, I might actually form friendships.
The night was fantastic! The bands were fun. I bought a journal from India and two adorable photographs of children. But most importantly, I met people. A wonderful girl from my church introduced me to all these other people that go there. I sat a chat with some girls involved in campus ministries. I talked to a friend from a Bible study I visited and got introduced to her friend who studies Speech Pathology.
All in all, I felt like I belonged--which is a feeling I don't think I have felt since high school drama club or every Wednesday when I relive those glory days via Glee on Hulu.
I am so happy that I gave myself grace and put myself out there. I learned that GRACE is ESSENTIAL to forming new friendships, and I hope that those friendships will just continue to grow.
GRACE
"Life has no pleasure higher or nobler than that of friendship"
-Samuel Johnson quotes (English poet, critic and writer. 1709-1784)
