“The thing that wounds us is often the thing that God will walk us through to heal us”~Mary DeMuth
I fought it with every fiber of my being. I was good at resisting it. I was wounded and isolation was my solution.
I kept my office door closed because I didn’t want it to happen there. I carried this resistance into my church life too. I wasn’t going to let anyone get close enough to hurt me again.
Then I joined the blogging community and my attitude slowly began to change. At first, I kept my comments section off because I didn’t know how I would engage with anyone. But I’d soon become brave. I opened up the comments section and started connecting. Then, I got really bold and one day last summer I jumped into Lisa-Joe’s Five Minute Friday community with this post about my “Story“. Those old wounds started to heal.
In October I took a giant leap out of my comfort zone and decided to meet some of my favorite encouragers, writers and friends (in)RL at the Allume conference.
Take a look at the size of this room…over 400 women! I almost turned around and ran back to my room. Then I remembered something really important…
Mindy and I interviewed for the (in)RL video with Stefanie. Yes, we giggled our way through it.
As you can see I didn’t leave Mindy’s side. The connection we’d made online was only strengthened by the connection we made once I was able to hear her sweet voice. Here’s a picture with Tracey. Turns out we share a passion for family history. What a great conversation over dinner!
There was one moment, in particular, that put me at ease for the duration of the weekend. Here’s Lisa-Jo Baker, who stood up in the middle of this writing session to pour out some truth. She said the one thing every blogger (newbie and pro) needed to hear or be reminded of…“There’s room for all of us in the kingdom”.
Sigh. I didn’t have to try to hide. I could quit making that list of reasons why I shouldn’t be there and enjoy this new COMMUNITY. I let my guard down. I connected women that I chat online with ever week (at our Twitter #FMFParty or at their blogs).
Forming a real life COMMUNITY with these women has brought me to a place of healing.
What about you? Are you longing for community closer to home where you can let down your hair and just be you? It’s happening soon and it won’t cost me a dime! I won’t have to travel or worry about my kids. Check out this short video and sign up for the next conference. I can’t wait!
Learning and sharing as I journey to KNOW and reflect Him,
Diana
Last year at (in)Courage they explored the nitty gritty of COMMUNITY. This year we’re taking a closer look at what it takes to stay rooted in community when sometimes just walking away would be so much easier and tons more convenient. Women share stories of how they’ve chosen to stay through hard marriages, challenging parenting, worthwhile friendships. How choosing to stay has freed them more fully and unexpectedly than if they’d cut and run.
Joining us this April…(in)RL…with THIS COMMUNITY means:
- Registration is FREE and it’s open for (in)RL 2013 today!
- Everyone who registers gets a FREE copy of the new ebook from (in)Courage: “Best of the Beach House 2012.”
- If you register today (Monday-1/14/13) a FREE copy of the(in)Courage 365Daybrightener is available while supplies last (US residents only).
Maybe you want to host an event, maybe you want to just show up and dip a toe in to see how it feels. Find your nearest location and join a meetup!