(in)courage (in)RL: 5 Reasons Why I Chose Community...

(in)courage (in)RL: 5 Reasons Why I Chose Community…

September 12, 2012 • 25 Comments

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(in)courage (in)RL: 5 Reasons Why I Chose Community…

When I was a little girl, I loved playing hide and seek.

As I grew older, say 13 or 14 years old, the neighborhood kids and I would play hide and seek at dusk. More challenging, but just as fun.

As my little man entered toddlerhood, it was just as much fun seeing and realizing that he enjoyed playing this childhood game as much as I. The cutest thing of all was he would always hide in the same place ~ every time. Each time found, a giggle.

Eventually, and without awareness or knowledge, hide and seek became a way of life. Physically, I was present, going through everyday motions, living life as expected. Emotionally, however, I was in hiding. I hid real feelings, thoughts, desires and hopes out of fear.

Fear…

I was afraid of being rejected.

I was afraid of being dismissed.

I was afraid of sounding stupid.

I was afraid ~ period.

My fear originated from having experienced rejection, dismissal and name calling.

Hope seemed lost.

Confidence was lost.

My heart was broken ~ shattered ~ but only known to me.

A smile masked the pain and a laugh covered the hurt.

I learned both well.

However, a time came when neither smile nor laugh could carry me. I was a believer, just not believing.

Can you relate?

A choice had to be made. A choice was made.

No longer would I live an insulated, self-protecting isolationist life.

No longer would I wait for someone to pull me out, meet me, greet me.

It was when I welcomed the idea of community, that all changed.

Here are 5 reasons why I chose community…

1. I needed support and encouragement from like-minded sisters.

I welcomed both in abundance in community.

2. I longed to support, encourage and inspire other like-minded sisters.

I’m able to do so in community.

3. I wanted to be accepted for who I was created to be, not for who others thought I should be.

I was accepted as designed in community.

4. I desired transparency and authenticity in speech as well as life.

I found both in community.

5. I craved an unbiased, open welcome with no strings.

I met it in community.

Meet some of my precious community… I’m a blessed community dweller!

Living Well Wednesday / Walk With Him Wednesday / Word Filled Wednesday / Unwrapping His Promises /Work In Progress / God-Bumps & God-Incidences

Denise Oldham

Sweet blessings to you.
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you, Denise!!
http://www.newequus.wordpress.com/ Mindy @ New Equus

I love all your cute pictures! And I like your reasons for community, too.
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you, Mindy! Want to add “our pic” to my community. We must grab one together at Allume:))
  - http://www.newequus.wordpress.com/ Mindy @ New Equus
    
    Absolutely!
Elizabeth

Your pictures bring a huge smile, and you describe so beautifully today why we need each other and why He designed us that way. I love this community of blogging sisters we are a part of, friend. YOU BLESS me.
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Oh, me, too, Elizabeth! This community has been one of my saving graces. I’m so thankful HE merged all of us together. I’ve needed each and everyone of you.
  Remind me, will you be at Allume?
http://www.laurarath.blogspot.com Laura Rath

Hi Stefanie,
I never imagined the community I would find among the blogging world! God brought me into social media (kicking, screaming, & dragging my heels) and I have been wonderfully amazed!

Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on my blog! So happy to see you there!

God bless,
Laura
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Oh, I agree, Laura!! I remember holding Facebook at an arm’s length. Now, I’m knee deep in social media, thankful for every post, tweet and mention. The community has blessed me beyond measure.
  
  Thank you for returning the favor:))
http://simplystriving.wordpress.com/ Nikki

Now who wouldn’t want to be a part of that kind of community?!? I don’t know what took me so long…

fear is a fickle thing, isn’t it.

so glad I finally got over myself and decided to follow His lead and join in. My original intent was to bless and encourage others. Never did I expect the tables to turn on me. What a tremendous gift it is –waiting to be found when we bare our hearts for His glory!

I ramble…because I had intended to write a post about this and never got around to it ::Sigh:: so grateful I read yours as it has filled me up again. thank you, friend!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  One of the best parts of forging through this community is finding people like you. Ironically, I came needing encouragement and found my calling to encourage. So thankful He’s specific in His direction and call.
  
  You bless me continually…
http://theemptynestexpress.com/ Ms. Kathleen

Friends are amazing. Love all your beautiful photos Community is so crucial. Bless You!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you, Kathleen, for both your encouragement and your place in my community.
http://www.gettingdownwithjesus.com/ dukeslee

How wonderful, Stefanie! You’ve been blessed richly in community, I see. And I recognize sweet Ann up there with you. Do you live near Ann?
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you!!! No, Ann and I met at the Relevent Conference (now Allume) last year. What a treasured moment!! We’ve tweeted some and she’s been a wonderful encouragement to me.
http://www.WhimsySmitten.com/ Cara Sexton

Community can be such a tricky thing… so many fears, so many insecurities and challenges to overcome, but what a beautiful wing to cover us, a mirror to reflect us, a candle to warm us. Thanks for sharing your words and thoughts about community.
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  I agree, Cara. Finding a healthy balance in community is crucial.
  Thank you for your kind words:))
lindseyfoj

This is so true, Stef….so hard…so good….so important. You capture the heart and need for community well.

P.S. I love how your hairstyle changes transform you in each photo. I love variety and I think it is cool how you can look like a different person with just a quick hair change… #Lovely
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you, sweet friend!! Haha! I’ve always said my hair is one of the only things I have “real” control over:)) I appreciate you and your sweet words. Thrilled to have you in my community!!
http://twitter.com/StefLayton Stef Layton

I constantly hide behind the fear of rejection and sounding stupid. Community is such a blessing!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Oh, Stef (with an “f” like me)… The fear of rejection and sounding stupid HAUNTED me for years!! It was only when I grew into the amazing DFW community of Christian mom bloggers that those fears began to subside. I’d love to get to know you better. It sounds like we may have more than this in common:))
http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth

I wouldn’t add a thing! Community is a great blessing when we step out in vulnerability! Thanks for linking up!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thanks, Mary Beth! I’m so thankful my community includes you. What a treasure!
http://www.facebook.com/kellibecton Kelli Parker Becton

so glad to read this – amazing to me what all God is doing throughout the blogging community
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you, Kelli!! I agree, the blogging community is an incredible place where lives are truly changed (including mine).
  I appreciate your blogging ministry and kind words.