In my younger years I had few friends, in fact I was a “One friend” guy. As a result all the kids when they would have birthday parties, pool parties, or get togethers. I was never invited. I joined the Boy Scouts at 10 years old and found some friends their, but soon my father moved again to another city, and all that changed. The moving was a regular thing, and resulted in my never wanting to make friends – for I knew we would move away again.
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It is not a good feeling when people around you leave you out. It is like that kid who always gets picked last. I knew that they didn’t want me around. I knew that they would be happier if I just went home
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I saw the joy in the faces of the popular kids. The ones who were always picked, always noticed and always connect. That kind of joy that I longed for, and cried over often, but I never got.
But then came a day someone came along and said to me “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
What an invitation that was, what joy it brought to my heart, what hope, what comfort, and most of all it would never change.