“Let’s connect this weekend at church.” “Let’s meet for coffee next week.” Sure, as long as I don’t have to share any of my personal issues. I’d love to hear about YOUR struggles, though.
Only, real life community doesn’t work that way. It’s got to be a two-way street. Give and Take. Mutual sharing.
Years ago, I was baffled and hurt when a friend suddenly turned on me and said, in essence, that she couldn’t be my friend because I was perfect and had the perfect family, and she wasn’t and didn’t. Hadn’t I been a good enough friend? Hadn’t I listened as she lamented her unsaved husband? Hadn’t I sympathized about her child with disabilities? Yes, I really had.
But, what I had not done was let her into my very imperfect life. Sure, my then-husband professed Christ while hers did not, but I didn’t share my loneliness when he was at church functions. Or the fact that he has major issues with porn. Or the fact that one daughter may have been ahead academically, but the other one wasn’t. And the fact that I had no idea how to deal with my kids’ ADD/ADHD tendencies.
I wish I had shared my imperfect life with my imperfect friend. Because when my perfect wall came crashing down on my head, maybe I would have had a friend to help me dig out from the carnage.
Maybe if I weren’t so afraid to connect with other women now, I would have a bosom companion, a kindred spirit, who lives here in my town, even though I don’t live at Green Gables. Someone who would call me first with her good news or her bad news.
Don’t get me wrong, I dearly love my long-distance kindred spirits! I just sometimes long for one who lives just on the other side of Avonlea.
What about you? Have you checked your connection status lately?
Bethany LaShell 
Well said, I appreciate your point. It can be so hard when others see you as you don’t see yourself. Sort of what I wrote about this morning, wearing different hats. Some others put the hats on us!
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Yes, I agree, Meg! It’s hard to decide which is worse: the expectations (hats) we put on ourselves, or those that others impose on us. Thanks for the insights.
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As painful as the journey, I love your willingness to now invite others in. i, too, learned the hard way that without the invitation, there can be no true community. Praying for your heart, for your friendships that God is stirring this very moment. Thank you for being in community with us. Your voice is beautiful.
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Thanks for the encouragement, Jo Ann!
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Love your voice. What a powerful and encouraging post.
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Thank you, Shanyn!
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