On being different to the world

Hope Bonarcher shares honestly about the sting of rejection, and learning more about herself

Recently I attended a Christian writing seminar in Switzerland, which was made up of a group of 15 women enjoying a Spirit-led week of teaching and fellowship, sharing heartfelt stories and writing critiques. One uniquely unscheduled afternoon, after the first few days of bonding, I found myself unoccupied and alone. A group of the women had ventured to a nearby town for a visit. As a home-educating mum of four in Scotland, a sun-scorched afternoon, surrounded by new faces in picturesque surroundings, beckoned like food for my soul! Unexpectedly uninvited, I could feel the sting of rejection rise within. Thoughts like: “They didn’t ask you on purpose,” “She was definitely weird with you this morning,” “What have you said or done this time to put people off?” clouded my soul.