Wow this room is huge…

Wow this room is huge…

Have you walked into a room full of people for the first (or several) times and thinking – this place is so big and I don’t think I can do this….   That first time when you go to an event, family function, dinner party……  Those first few times when you had to talk yourself into going because you just knew you had to take that first step…..  You wonder if you can do it or you walk in and think you cannot do it and want to walk out but you know you have to try to make that first attempt……

One of the first events I had been invited to after Dan died was a wedding of all things.  It took me quite a while before I sent the RSVP.  Weddings seemed to be were the hardest to attend and sometimes still are.   It’s not the wedding that is difficult, it’s the reception or dance that often follows which is difficult.  Fortunately, I had been invited to attend another event that same evening.  I knew most of the people attending that event were single and not a couple event.  So I did attend the wedding, the dinner and excused myself after dinner to attend the other event.

There comes a time when you just know you need to take that step.  Perhaps for those first few times you may need a plan.  Some ideas may be:

• ·         If possible bring a friend with you.
• ·         Set a time limit to being there.
• ·         Arrive late or plan on leaving early.
• ·         If the function is a sit down gathering, make plans to meet someone there to sit with.
• ·         The first time you go to church, sit with someone you know.
• ·         Have an alternative plan in case you feel you need a reason to leave.

It certainly isn’t easy making that first step.  However, God has promised us in Psalm 28:7:  The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him and I am helped.  After that first event on my own, I know I could do it but I also knew I truly had to rely on God to help me through it.  I knew for me the time had for me to decide if I was going to stay stuck or in a rut by staying home alone or trust God would see me through getting out. 

I will admit, I was ready to get home later that evening and the next day, I stayed home all day.  But I did realize that I did get out and I did just fine.  Did I miss not being a couple to that wedding – certainly but with God’s help I did it.  Each time does get easier.

Is life always easy – absolutely not!  With God’s help all things are possible – Matthew 19:26.  Blessings to each of you.   May you feel God’s arms wrapped around you as you walk this new journey in your life!