The Night I Felt Loved

 I love holidays.  I knew I wanted to do something to celebrate July 4th.  I saw on Facebook that my friend was going to the fireworks in our town, so I reached out to her to see if we could join her.  She was so kind in not only welcoming me to join them at the fireworks, but also inviting me and the kids to their small group cookout before the fireworks.  Although I know several of the people in her small group (they go to my church), my mostly introverted self felt nervous joining a small group activity.

Not only does this type of thing usually make me feel a little nervous, I'm also honestly in an awkward stage right now.  I am going thru a divorce.  I really have no idea who knows and who doesn't.  And then if they don't know, I have no idea how they will react if it does come up.  So it's just a very weird stage I'm in right now.  However, I decided to go.

At the cookout, I told my friend that I kind of just wanted to stand on a chair, make an announcement that I'm going thru a divorce, get the awkwardness out of the way, and then continue on with the evening.  But of course I would never actually do that.  Haha.  Thankfully, early on in the evening, someone asked me where my husband was.  I so appreciated the honest question.  Here was my chance to just get it out there.  I proceeded to tell her that he and I weren't together anymore.  And while I was chatting with her, a couple other girls came over, and I was able to tell them also.  And you know what?  Not one of them had a weird reaction toward me.  They just told me they were sorry, and they just acted NORMAL.  And they didn't treat me weird.  And I didn't feel judged in the least.  Matter of fact, it was quite the opposite.  I could feel their kindness toward me throughout the whole evening.  And it was wonderful. And it was Christ-like.

 I don't have to be in hiding.  I don't have to hide in shame.  This is my life.  And of course I wouldn't have chosen this, but this is what is real.  And I was seen tonight.  And I was accepted.  And I was loved.

We went to the fireworks after the cookout.  It truly was just a wonderful evening.  My kids had so many friends to play with, and it was so great for me to see them having such a great time with other little people.  I was even able to share with one friend about the realness of God in my life and how He takes bad things and makes them good.  So thankful for this beautiful night and grateful for a lovely friend who invited me in.  

                      My kiddos in their cute red, white, and blue clothes at the cookout.