Bursting my bubble.

Courtney went off to college in Virginia.
Holly has a boyfriend that takes up a considerable amount of her time.
Zach isn't coming around as much as he used to for various reasons.

Well boo! I've been having myself a pity party lately about all of this. I pretty much lost 3 of my best friends within a month of each other. Well, at least that's how it felt. I know Courtney is where God wants her to be, I know Holly and I still hang out, and I know Zach has legitimate reasons for not coming to Hartsville as much. But still, it's stressful not having the encouragement I'm used to! Courtney, Holly, and Zach were the main people I discussed God with. We had many spiritual conversations that got me thinking and kept me growing.

There are all those verses about iron sharpening iron, friends sticking closer than brothers, etc. So I thought to myself "what am I supposed to do now?!" Then I read something. I'm not sure where I read it. Maybe it was tonight while I was at WIRED. But it said "bursting your Christian bubble" or something like that. And I realized that's what I was doing. I'm used to having my perfect little Christian friends around me that are open with their faith. It made being a Christian easy.

But now that those people aren't as intensely woven into my life anymore, I find myself hanging out with people that I normally wouldn't have. I find myself befriending those who may not go to church or even believe in God. Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing!? It's like I had some epiphany tonight... but it's an epiphany I should have had a long time ago. Having Christian friends is an awesome thing - you NEED them! And I still have Courtney, Holly, and Zach - as well as Courtney Sims and Casey.

So instead of being depressed because I'm losing touch with all of these awesome friends, I'm becoming excited that God has given me the chance to grow closer to others. Casey and I spend more time together than we ever have before - Courtney Sims and I have weekly lunch dates and various spontaneous activities together. And not to mention Taylor! We're starting to hang out and talk and get closer as well. Though there are many more, the three of them have had a profound impact on my life already. God has used them to speak to me and show me what I'm made for instead of what I thought I was made for. I've gotten back in touch with the Sarah that God intended. Courtney, Holly, and Zach didn't take away from that - they added to it as well. Without them I wouldn't be who I am today, and without them in the future, I won't be who I know God has made me to be.

I do miss them terribly. I'm just beginning to see what God is doing in this situation. He's freeing up a lot of my time so that I focus on Him, myself, others, and my family. He's allowing me time that I can grow closer to Him by quiet devotions. He's showing me that I shouldn't only spend time with the church going Christians of the world. And He's showing me that I have some awesome friends - whether I realize they're there or not. I love you all. :]

Should you start bursting your Christian bubble?