31 Days of Brave: Corner

Gentle Reader,

Last week I told you that I was going to attend a volunteer orientation class at a women’s shelter in my area. I am so stoked to start working there! I don’t even care what task I’m assigned. The place is incredible. The ministry has never before been able to build from the ground up, so a lot of thought went into the building. The decor was clearly chosen with women in mind, but the hallways are wide, the rooms spacious – perfect for running kids. The program is focused on real, lasting transformation, beginning with a woman’s identity as a daughter of God. There are Bible studies and classes, a couple of family rooms, a sweet little space for pre-k kids, a healing garden, a clothing boutique, a medical clinic… The list just goes on!

About 10 minutes into the presentation, I knew that I wanted to be involved. And then the volunteer director asked the class participants to share why we had come. Starting in the back.

Starting with me.

And I’m not kidding when I tell you that everyone in the room turned around.

I could feel the synapses short-circuiting. Um, speech. Wait, where did that go? Where am I? Who am I?

Fuzz, pop, crackle, snap.

I managed to blurt out that I know someone who already volunteers at the shelter while desperately trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone. I just wanted to be in my corner. I just wanted to listen.

The urge to help others and the urge to remain hidden don’t exactly go together, and it’s taken me a week to figure that out.

How desperate I am for the Lord’s help!

 For all of the posts in the 31 Days: Brave series, go here.