Some of you know this ache well. You’ve felt like the safe choice, the backup friend, the one who only gets called when Plan A can’t make it. And you’ve smiled through it. You’ve said “I understand” when your soul whispered, “Not again.”
That post hit me right in my deeply hidden inner core, where i locked away the unresolved pain of always being the geeky one, the awkward one, the unwanted one. I'm in my 60s now and I thought I'd moved past all that, but I guess it just took one person who truly gets it to remind me that I still have some unpacking to do. Thank you for that.
It took courage to write this. It also takes courage to drop the unmet expectations, the sorrow and see ourselves as God sees us. Thank you for writing. God bless you!
Oh, Sarah. This was hard. I can feel the sorrow in your words. I'm so sorry. I totally get this. I so badly wanted to work in women's ministry but was continually overlooked. Eventually, I understood that it was the Lord. He wasn't going to use me there. I had no idea then that he was going to use me in a ministry to the disenfranchised and most neglected in our community. But God works in mysterious ways and here I am. When no one called or reached out after my daughter’s 3 suicide attempts from my very large church of 15 years, I began to distance myself from that church. I still attend a woman's Bible study there, but I now attend a tiny local church. They've prayed for my daughter for 3 years and embraced me when I joined a year ago. I told them I'm praying for 50 new congregants this year and so far we have close to 20. They took me seriously and renovated the foyer to help welcome the newcomers. Most of the congregation are over the age of seventy. The worship music is slow and plodding, but I know I'm where God wants me and it's brought such joy. Thank you for your lovely words! We are the fringe. 🩷
I love hearing this! And I’m so one of your biggest cheerleaders here for reals… I think your gonna love my next post about ministry this weekend ❤️❤️❤️
Wow…do I feel this in many ways, and especially as a Substack writer. I have plenty of people who read my stuff, but getting likes or comments is just far too much to ask. I feel this in my family, as the black sheep…always being left out of get-togethers and being the last to know all important family news. As I age, I have noticed my circle of friends has declined rapidly.
So thankful for this powerful and comforting reminder that I am not only chosen by a loving God, but that I was created on, with, and for a purpose.
That post hit me right in my deeply hidden inner core, where i locked away the unresolved pain of always being the geeky one, the awkward one, the unwanted one. I'm in my 60s now and I thought I'd moved past all that, but I guess it just took one person who truly gets it to remind me that I still have some unpacking to do. Thank you for that.
I’m so touched this post blessed you today ❤️🥰🙏
It took courage to write this. It also takes courage to drop the unmet expectations, the sorrow and see ourselves as God sees us. Thank you for writing. God bless you!
Aww bless you today lovely 🥰 thank you for reading ❤️❤️❤️
Oh, Sarah. This was hard. I can feel the sorrow in your words. I'm so sorry. I totally get this. I so badly wanted to work in women's ministry but was continually overlooked. Eventually, I understood that it was the Lord. He wasn't going to use me there. I had no idea then that he was going to use me in a ministry to the disenfranchised and most neglected in our community. But God works in mysterious ways and here I am. When no one called or reached out after my daughter’s 3 suicide attempts from my very large church of 15 years, I began to distance myself from that church. I still attend a woman's Bible study there, but I now attend a tiny local church. They've prayed for my daughter for 3 years and embraced me when I joined a year ago. I told them I'm praying for 50 new congregants this year and so far we have close to 20. They took me seriously and renovated the foyer to help welcome the newcomers. Most of the congregation are over the age of seventy. The worship music is slow and plodding, but I know I'm where God wants me and it's brought such joy. Thank you for your lovely words! We are the fringe. 🩷
I love hearing this! And I’m so one of your biggest cheerleaders here for reals… I think your gonna love my next post about ministry this weekend ❤️❤️❤️
Wow…do I feel this in many ways, and especially as a Substack writer. I have plenty of people who read my stuff, but getting likes or comments is just far too much to ask. I feel this in my family, as the black sheep…always being left out of get-togethers and being the last to know all important family news. As I age, I have noticed my circle of friends has declined rapidly.
So thankful for this powerful and comforting reminder that I am not only chosen by a loving God, but that I was created on, with, and for a purpose.
Oh lovely, it is certainly hard here to grow! But your name is engraved on His hands and He sees all you do ❤️❤️❤️
WOW!!!🤯
I read this AFTER journaling my 3 “I thank God for …” statements this morning.
One of my statements… “Having the knowledge AND believing ‘I AM CHOSEN’ “…
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…You know those of us who follow you! YOU KNOW ME!
Thank you for always sharing your heart and love for Jesus. Thank you for being vulnerable. 🙌🏼❤️🙏🏼😍🤩😇
Sister! You always bring a sweet, heartfelt smile to my face. And I love hearing you write down your gratitude, because I do too! ❤️❤️❤️
Oh how I can relate. I was never anyone's " chosen"... Not even my own parents.
Same… ❤️🥰🙏
Powerful!
Aww, bless ❤️🥰🙏
I was also that young girl…it took me many years to not let it hurt…I have learned to live for an audience of One. Loved this!
What a beautifully written and heartfelt essay you've posted. Blessings, it resonates so well. Lovely!
Thank you so much Jan. your encouragement means a lot! ❤️❤️❤️