A Little Bit of Awkwardness....

I have shared a passage from d365 which is a daily devotional website. I read it the other day and thought it related very well to my situation so far: 

"We have all felt like the outsider at some point in our lives. When we feel lonely or isolated, we want so badly for someone on the inside to come close and draw us in.  This scenario that Mark tells us about is a reality that many of us live everyday; and it becomes most real at lunchtime. Whether you are 15 or 55 years old, there is always a debate about where to sit and who to sit with at lunch. It is easy to sit with our friends, but look around — is anyone isolated? Jesus teaches us that to love one another is to be in relationship, no matter what. We may disagree, we may think that we have nothing in common with someone, but Jesus tells us to look past that. See beyond the differences and seek one another out. Follow the example of Christ, risk a little awkwardness or ridicule, and see how you connect to your fellow human beings, your brothers and sisters in Christ."

Ashley Lytle

Since I have only been here a month I have felt isolated and have wondered who to sit next to at lunch or who to converse with during the drop-in or mum and tots group. I have had to tell myself to just jump in and sit next to someone even if it is a little awkward at first. I have met a lot of people at the drop-in that do not speak English fluently and it has been difficult to have a conversation. I have had to go out of my comfort zone to build relationships. But I always remind myself that this what my year is all about. I am here to build relationships, to help others feel comfortable at lunch, to see beyond our language differences or cultural differences and to learn from one another. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had thus far and I am learning each day from the community around me.

Blessings,
Julie