Reaching out

Okay, it's official. I think God enjoys throwing curve-balls at me. Really, I think He does.

One example, the main one really, is something happening right now. There's a guy here on camp who's rather lonely, or at least acts like it. My dad has mentioned it to me, and I have noticed his loneliness too. It comes out in the way he holds himself, the nervousness...a lot of things. So I have started, prayerfully, to reach out to the guy.


This isn't easy for me. I'm terrible at reaching out to others. Extending my hand in friendship has not worked out for me very often. Often that "hand" is ignored, pushed aside, or occasionally spit upon. A few times, I've had it wrenched and twisted behind my back.

Most of my good friends reached out their hand to me first  and I accepted it, gladly.

So maybe I'm making a mountain of a molehill (though moles are bad enough in and of themselves), but I feel extremely nervous about trying to be a friend to someone, someone who, according to my dad, is a lot like me. I'm not sure how accurate he is with his appraisal but we'll see.

I know loneliness can hurt. College will teach this quicker than anything else. I even told my friends once, "Loneliness is rarely nice enough to simply hit; more often, it full-on body-slams you into the ground."

And, since I know how painful loneliness can be, I want to reach out to help. I am weird that way I guess; I hate seeing others dealing with a similar pain, one that I know well.

Friendship is really important. I know that these days. I used to suffer under the illusion that I could live without friends, that I would be a happy hermit, content to be friendless. God and college-life conspired to rip that illusion away quite nicely, giving me a warm blanket to cover myself, instead of the rags I used to cling to.

Now it's my turn to extend a portion of the blanket; it's my turn to reach out and give someone the hand of friendship. It does have me scared. But I know that I can trust God to give me the tools and strength I need to do His will. I just need to follow the example He gave me, reaching out His hands that I might live.But prayers for guidance are always appreciated.

To God be the glory and praise, for He alone is holy and worthy of it.