I did something the other night that I’ve never done before. I had dinner with six women who I had never met.
I recently became acquainted with Sherry, who owns a gift shop very near to where I work. Just before Christmas, I walked over there hoping to find a gift for my mother. While paying for my purchases, we started in a conversation. One of the patients of the Doctor who I work for, who was also a friend of Sherry, had just passed away suddenly. As the conversation continued I was thinking about how God directs our paths and will randomly put a new person on that path and it is up to us what we do with that person. Several days later I was given a large gift basket and felt prompted to give it to Sherry. She was quite taken aback and very appreciative. At the end of the conversation, she invited me to a dinner she was hosting. I was a bit hesitant because I wouldn’t know anyone and that can be a bit scary. (Getting to know one new person at a time was enough for me!) Sherry assured me that they were “all good souls” just like I was. She gave me a hug and I left.
A few weeks later I dropped in to confirm that I would come to her dinner. She was quite happy and also told me how I had made her Christmas with the gift basket. After that visit I began to have doubts and was thinking that I would call her to cancel. That would have been the easy way, so I determined that this was a commitment that I was going to keep. I’m very glad I did. The meal was delicious, lots of laughs to be had, and new connections made. It turns out I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know some of the girls there. There were different backgrounds and different beliefs, but we had a good time. I’m not a big talker, but I joined in when I could. We each had to share a bit about ourselves and one thing that was weird or quirky about us. I couldn’t think of anything right away but then remembered that I could wiggle my ears. So quiet, shy me pulled the hair behind my ears and wiggled them for a group of women I hardly knew.
There is another dinner coming up and if I can make it, I will. My world was expanded that night and that was a good thing. If you look around, you’ll find someone who can be a part of your world. That’s always a good thing!
Diane
