A True Fit (Day 64)

Everybody wants to feel like they're a part of something. Like they belong. I've been in Searcy four years and never really found a church I felt I was a part of. Many factors went into me not finding one and I don't really have the energy to elaborate. Don't worry, I wasn't scorned by any of them; I just didn't find a fit. That changed last semester when I started going to Downtown. I walked in a realized I already knew many people from the community since quite a few were my swimmers and their families. It was nice walking in every week and not just saying hi to other students. But still, I felt a little like another number.

That changed today. Today was teacher appreciation day. The church members were supposed to give a hug to a teacher. I walked in a little late, during the first song, Lord forgive me ;) and I was welcomed by a pat on the back. I turned to see my "boss", aka Jennifer Mills, aka the children's minister, aka three of my swimmers' mom. She was appreciating me for my work. Then as the kids ran past me for children's church I was welcomed with smiles and waves. And then it hit. I felt apart of something. I felt like more than an number. I was loved at the church. I wasn't just a college student who came nine months out of the year and then left after graduation. I wasn't just one of those kids people didn't get too attached to because I would be gone in four years. I was more.

I know many college students, well really people in general, who are ready to give up on the CoC. I was almost one of them. The reason being they don't feel apart of the community. We don't all know how to jump into activities. Sometimes people need a little reassurance that they're wanted. Jesus was all for relationships. He accepted anyone and made them feel like they mattered. There's nothing in the Bible that says you can't have your close friends, Jesus had twelve of them, but why don't we try an open that circle up a smidge and let a few new faces in. You never know, it may change someones perspective and ultimately they're life.