you belong too

Do you know what it's like to belong?

Maybe it's my INFj-ness, or my enneagram 2-ness, or some other personality marker...but I've never felt like I quite belong. I feel awkward and unknown in most places. I expect people to not remember me, and I will avoid saying hi to someone in public because it's embarrassing to not be known. I feel dull and often un-worthy of friendship. 

Over the past couple of years, I've found belonging at Hope Street. I can honestly say it's the only place (besides in my home), that I feel known and comfortable with who I am. And I know that's not on accident or just a neat thing that "just happened." Belonging has been cultivated at Hope Street over the past 27 years...way before I was part of it. The culture has been curated to be something that absorbs people and their weird quirky messes, and says, "you belong here, you're safe." Once you step into it, you can then turn around and tell someone else, "I see you. You belong too."

Jesus, thank you for seeing me. Thank you for seeing our us at our worst, and when we feel invisible. Thank you for creating a beautiful space like Hope Street and deciding I should be part of it. Your plan is so good and kind. Thank you for the people who worked so hard at making Hope Street this beautiful little oasis in the midst of a really difficult world. I pray that we would see those around us who feel unworthy of this belonging. That we would welcome them into our lives and remind them of who's image they have been created in. That all of those around us would feel loved, feel welcome, and feel worthy.

Amen

Hannah (Communication and Development Coordinator)