DO NOT BE A DUMMY---SPEAK IT OUT LOUD!

It is no secret, that I am lonely here in Fort Worth.  I had something happen that took me back a couple of steps recently.  In the ladies Bible Study I am attending, the head of women's ministry challenged the large group last week to meet someone new and get their contact information before the end of the morning.  There was someone sitting close to me that said, "OH NO!" Obviously she was not anxious to meet any one new on that particular day.  I wanted to turn around and say, "Have you ever been the stranger in the room?"  I walked out deflated and temporarily defeated.  I must confess that I have stood in a group smuggly enjoying the comfort of familiarity and not always been the one to seek out the stranger in the corner. 

As I was talking it over with Camille she asked me, "What is The Next Right Thing to do.  I shook my head and said, "I am not sure."  As I have prayed about it and thought about it--it finally occurred to me---DO NOT BE A DUMMY--speak the words to those that God places in your path.  Tell them how you are struggling.

So I went to Small Group last night for an ice cream social.  It was truly a small group as many were out of town or busy.  I spoke it out loud to

those that were there.  I told them I was struggling and asked them how they made friends in a large church in a huge city.  They listened and advised, but I left with the same "alone" feeling.

The next morning as I check my email, I find an encouraging email from one of those women.  Asking that I not give up and keep trying and to give the church more time to mesh into my life.  Later in the day, the leader who was absent, emailed me an encouragement to participate in a "Family Meeting" the church is having.  He reminded me this would be an opportunity to meet more people in the church.

Today is still today--but there is hope for tomorrow.  As God gives me the opportunity, I will speak it out loud where I am and how I feel.  I KNOW it will take time to make great friends like those I have had in R for all of these years--but until someone understands I am searching the need may be unknown.

I am NO Dummy and I know how to speak--so I will just keep looking to Him and speaking my needs.

Today I find joy in the voice that He has given me to proclam Who He is!

 

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:11

My LONG Time Friend Vici, has copies of the book available at her

bookstore,  The Avenue-Christian Books & Gifts

In Ruston