Small World
Well I started working out at the gym this week. I even joined in on a step class. I thought, "Why not, I've done step aerobics with my handy-dandy fitness video," although that was quite a few years ago. I didn't do too bad. The steps have changed a little, but its like riding a bike. Well not really, it's nothing like a bike. But the metaphor will do.
Through one of my new preschool friends, I was introduced to another friend who belongs to the gym and come to find out, she lives right around the corner from me. She was the one who invited me to the step class. We got to talking and I'm realizing what a small world (or community) we live in. She happens to go to the same church that I just left and has been for a couple years. She didn't recognize me until I told her I played guitar, and the same for me, I don't believe I've ever seen her. It's funny how we can be going to the same church together for over a year and our paths never crossing one another. She began asking me questions about why I left and I was able to tell her honestly what happened for my family and the reasons we left. The cool part I think was that I was able to bring a truth and understanding to something that she could only guess or assume had happened at church. She never really talked to anyone about it, so had no choice but to come to her own conclusions. I was thankful that she was able to ask the hard question "
why" and I told her that. Communication is key to unity. The more that we talked, in what was really a short amount of time, we were able to connect on many other levels. I really am looking forward to all that God is doing through this new endeavor. It's fun meeting new people and I have the benefit of getting into shape too.....well, hopefully. :)
Opportunity??
Last week, Cammy went to her first birthday party of someone in her preschool class. I didn't know the family other than maybe eye contact, or a smile (if even that) when dropping and picking Cammy up from school. So Cammy was excited. She really likes this girl and talks about her a lot, although Chloe's still her #1 :) . I wasn't sure if I was gonna stay or not, I definitely had to check-it-out first, but when I got there I began talking with the friend's mom and another mom from class. It was a nice conversation. I felt very comfortable in their home. Cammy was having a blast, so I felt it was okay to leave her for awhile. The party was great, Cammy had fun. My baby went to her first big girl birthday party :( (Sad face, cause she growing up too fast).
Anyway, the next week came to drop Cammy at school and I connected with the two moms again and continued in conversations with them. On Wednesday, one mom asked me what I was doing while the kids were in class being that I was dressed in my work-out clothes. I have been trying to keep some sort of exercise regimen since I lost my hiking buddies, but doing it alone is no fun and it's easy for me to cancel when I just don't feel like it. So anyway, she asked if I would like to join them at Lady Fitness since they themselves just found out that they belonged to the same gym. I thanked her for the invite, and said I would think about it. Well, I did my jogging around the park thing, which is cool, but kind of lonely at the same time and I thought about connecting with the moms. Sure I had all those negative thoughts running through my mind like, "they have more in common with each other than me; they live by each other; they have sibling kids the same age; their husbands both work nights...." I mean really, the more I thought about it, it was weird how much more they had in common with each other than they had with me, and what do I have to offer?
But God kept pressing on me that He provides opportunities to connect with people; opportunities for relationships to be made and built upon; opportunities to share his love. I could easily talk myself out of doing the work necessary to form a relationship, or listen to all the negative thoughts on why I shouldn't. But why would I do that? Then I would be missing out on something precious that God has provided. He has opened my eyes to see Him in a brand new way. I don't want to miss a thing. He is everywhere and in everything.
So I did it! I went with my new friends to the gym and signed up to join. I have never even stepped foot in a gym before today. I have always done my exercises at home or outdoors, so this is new for me. Who knows what other relationships will be born from this. I am looking forward to it! Thanks Lord.
