My People

As I go this summer into a new city, I reflect on the people who have become my best friends in a short amount of time. What originally started as walking into a situation blind has turned out to be the biggest blessing in my life.

A few months ago, I attended the young adult group at my old church in Scottsdale. This was a big step for me going alone into a large group of people who I didn’t know. Before getting out of my car, I sent up a quick prayer asking for God’s guidance and to meet new people. That He would watch over me and ease my anxious heart (a prayer that I pray quite often).

I’m not going to lie, walking into the building that night, I was shaking. As an introvert, going into new settings like that one is uncomfortable and awkward. Luckily, everyone was welcoming and friendly from the moment I stepped into the environment. I debated on where to sit, walked around the room to take in my surroundings, and decided to sit next to a girl in her mid-20s that looked nice who told me her name was Lindsey. We ended up talking until the service began and quickly became friends. Little did I know what that conversation would lead to.

Lindsey and I later went out for coffee to learn more about one another. I learned (along with many other things) that she had an interest in starting a small group for like-minded Christian women to grow and connect with each other. And that is what she did.

Now, I’m at a different church, with this group of 5 other women where we can be honest and transparent with each other, but also talk about the serious stuff going on underneath the surface. I can honestly say these are the best women I have ever met in my life. They are truly my best friends and I can’t imagine life without them.

When I first applied to do a school program in Los Angeles over the summer, I had no idea I would meet Lindsey, the women in the small group or make different friends at my new church. I didn’t think it would be so hard to leave them for this period of time to explore a different city and learn how to create social content. I know this is something I need to do in order to better prepare myself for the future, but why did God place all these people in my life right before I left? It’s a question that is on my mind constantly.

Why did I make all these new friendships to only leave these growing connections a few months later? I don’t have an answer and I don’t know if I ever will have an answer for this question.

It’s been difficult having to make new friends in a big city, but luckily we’re slowly finding our footing. I know that the people back home are praying for me and I can feel the warmth God is providing through this time that I thought would feel more isolated.

Despite being so far away from the people I call home, our connections are still growing through Zoom and FaceTime along with sharing our experiences wherever one of us is in the country. God placed this small group and these people in my life for a very specific reason whether it’s to laugh about how we are at church or to share about the latest guy that didn’t work out or to be open and share how God is moving in our midst. Whatever it is, we are there for one another and miles between us won’t slow down the work God is doing in each of our lives.

I’m still flabbergasted at how God moved in my life. The way He brought me to sit next to Lindsey and having a conversation to her starting a small group that brought us together. I’m truly speechless and I have a feeling I will be for a long time.