Letters from Ash – Friendships and Fitting In

Hi, again! Ash here.

For our chat today, I want to talk about friendships and sometimes feeling like you don’t fit in.

I’VE BEEN THE NEW KID A FEW TIMES, AND IT’S DEFINITELY NOT ALWAYS FUN.

I moved schools right before seventh grade. Up until then, I had the same classmates and friends for seven years, and moving to a new school where I didn’t know anybody was terrifying. Before school even started, I would wonder if the people at my new school would like me or how they might treat me.

Would I be an outsider to them or would they consider me a friend?

Would they accept me?

Questions like these flooded my mind until the first day of school. It’s crazy how terrified I was of moving to a new school and meeting new people, but it turned out to be a really great experience. Then, as I started high school, I changed schools again.

Both times I moved schools, I was leaving behind the few close friends I had. This was especially difficult, because these were the only people I really knew. When I changed schools, some of these friendships changed. I felt disconnected with most of my good friends and one of my best friends that I had known since preschool. With the help of social media (which in this case is used in a positive way), I’m able to keep up with them. But it doesn’t maintain our bond necessarily in the same way as when we saw each other daily.

Recently, I met up with a friend who has stuck by me despite all the hurdles life has thrown at us. We have been friends since the fourth grade, and our bond has remained as strong as it was when we first met. Every time I see her, we pick up right where we left off.   I’m learning to appreciate friendships like this, because the truth is they aren’t as common as I used to think.

WHILE MOVING TO A NEW SCHOOL IS SCARY, THERE ARE SO MANY POSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN HAPPEN, TOO.

Meeting new people, trying out for different sports, falling in love with a class you have previously disliked.

Moving to a new school is a fresh start, and this can be a good thing.

One thing I really want y’all to remember is to be YOURSELF.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

YOU ARE CRAFTED IN GOD’S IMAGE.

Some people take this fresh start as a chance to change their identity, to create a façade. They cover up their true selves for a chance at worldly beauty and the never-ending popularity contest.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying change is bad. I’m saying don’t let these new voices influence who you are.

Colossians 3:1-3 says this: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

There a few more verses I would like y’all to take the time to read. They have really helped me in the past, and I’m hoping they will give you encouragement, too.

Luke 9:23-25 – “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

1 Peter 3:3-4 – “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Each of these verses express the Truth in being the wonderful girl God has crafted you to be.

EMBRACE YOUR TRUE IDENTITY!

I encourage you to set aside time this week to just talk to God. It might feel a little awkward at first, but over time you’ll feel more comfortable. In no time, it will feel as if you are just effortlessly chatting with your bestie. God loves you dearly and desires a relationship with each and every one of us. That’s a friendship I know I can always count on, and you can, too.

I hope y’all have an amazing week. Bye, friends!

Love, Ash