Friends and Commitments

Life has changed drastically for me.

This past year, I've made friends with so many people at my new church, and I never thought that would happen. At my old church, small as it was, I knew pretty much all the kids that attended. All fifteen of them.

Now, when I first started going to BBC (Biltmore Baptist Church), I was in the middle of 5th grade, and had zero friends. It remained that way for about two years, when I became friends with Nicole, who is now my best friend. Life was great. Just me and my bestie.

Then one year later, I started getting more involved in the student ministry, just serving behind the scenes. No one knew me, and that was fine. In fact, I tried to avoid people. Because most of them seemed loud and annoying to me. Then, I went to a weekend conference at my church called DNow, and decided to recommit myself to God. It wasn't a walk-down-the-aisle and announce that I got saved or anything, because I already was saved... But it during one of the worship sessions, and I just made a commitment to God. I promised him that I was going to give everything I am to him.

And in that split second, my eyes were opened. I realized how much I loved all the people that were worshiping around me. Even the ones I didn't know. I suddenly had a heart for people.

Was I still mildly scared of people? Heck, yeah. Did I reach out to be friends with all of them? Heck, no.

The only thing that had changed that weekend was my commitment level to God. I gave it to him to decide who I would be friends with and who I wouldn't be. Life resumed normally for a while, serving behind the scenes and being ignored by people.

Then I went on a mission trip to Atlanta, Georgia, and made a few friends. I guess God decided to start small, which was probably a good thing.

I can't really describe what has happened since then, because I haven't really figured out myself. But five months since DNow, and now I know almost every student at my church, and they know me. And it's not that we just know each other... But I've started to form friendships with them.

In five months, I've gone from the girl that no one knows, to the girl that people want to hang out and be friends with. Which has definitely been strange for me. It's made life more complicated in a way, but so much more worth it.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, people have never really been my favorite thing... But I've learned how to be less shy and a better friend. Sometimes, I just sit in my room wondering how lucky I am to have friends like mine.

I have more friends than I've ever dreamed I would, and they aren't just people anymore. They're legit Christ-followers who encourage. Amazing teens who serve harder than any I've ever seen. And I love each one of them.