I have read and heard about many young ladies who are not in a society of like minded young ladies. I myself have few “in person” friendships with such friends, and sometimes I become discouraged. It is not often that I am blue over the fact of not having colleagues who fit every criteria that I desire in a friend. Yet I understand many young girls or perhaps even young men who are in a circle of people who are not home schooled or even Christian, and who wish to be able to be in company with people who believe like they do.
Yet, while we wonder why the Lord has placed us in such a position, maybe we should look at it another way. Perhaps our roles don’t seem glamorous, but we may be the special few who are the ones to grow and nurture such a society. If we share our convictions with others, and they begin to see why we believe the way we do, a relationship unlike that of a like minded friend becomes present. Many times God molds our characters in such circumstances where we are not in a comforting position amidst friends who agree with what we have to say, or even appreciate what we announce. Sometimes He gives us relationships where we are taught to defend our convictions, or learn to be compassionate but not compromising in our bonds with those who may or may not be Christians. For some, to have a friend that keeps them constant instead of cushioned, it is better.
I am around people, whom I love dearly, some who agree with my convictions, while others do not. I used to wish for ONE friend who was home schooled, old fashioned, and completely complacent with the soundtrack to Braveheart and long walks in the woods, yet apart from my cousins, I do not have a group of friends who are just like me. And that may be a good thing!
There will be times when we are thrown into a community where no one shares our worldviews, and what shall we do then? We are to be Christian witnesses, not just in our words, but in our actions. If we shy away from people just because they are different or believe differently from us, how are we to appear?
I like to be alone, or in the company of those I love. I do not like to be around those who are different from me, I admit it. I would rather be off doing something I enjoy, but I have been working on (with the constant reminder of my mom) what I refer to as “Loving God’s people, not just my people”. I mean, the Lord died upon the cross for them too!
So when I become saddened by my lack of like minded friends, I just have to remind myself, that I need to be just as kind to those I come in contact with, than with those I would rather be in company with. Our Sovereign Lord knows our limits, our desires, and most importantly…our heart. He knows when we have our heart set on something and the manner in which we set it. We may need to realize that we are placed in such places because the Lord has put us here…not in mistake or forgetfulness, but in the righteous and loving way that we come to know when He is our father. And we need to apply this mindset to every area of our life, and especially in the areas where we are weak of heart and spirit; places, in which, we personally do not want to be.
