There have been times in my life when I have been so thankful to be “not the only _______”. For me it has been not the only tall girl, white person, female, mission minded person, person in jeans, etc. I know that this is a feeling everyone has about whatever their circumstance. As a girl at fourteen years of age, who was six feet tall, I was thankful that their was a girl named Jaime who was a Senior in my high school. Even though we weren’t really friends and seldom spoke, I took great comfort in the fact that she was also super tall. Because I was not the only insanely tall girl in a high school of 500 people.
Last weekend I was blessed to spend time with people from all over the country who have started new churches, new communities of faith and new ministries. I could hear their stories and ask them questions and they recognized where my questions were coming from without me having to explain. It was so nice and it helped my spirit reenergize about starting the new community that I have hoping for. Yesterday, I met a pastor in the area whose church is only 12 years old and he offered to spend time with me and I am elated. Being the only of something can be extremely lonely. I have missed my wonderful friends who I have made over the last 6 years at my previous church. I have doubted why I agreed to do this in the first place.
But I know that God has a hand and a plan for this new church. I find myself muttering “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse has helped me push through some of the fear of rejection as I visit with new people about what we are trying to do. As I drove home from the conference I attended, I was filled with ideas and inspiration and it got me home without any sleepiness. God even blessed with with a contact to follow up with who lives in Glenpool and her sister was my waitress in St. Louis.
by 
