Stepping Away From Popularity

A few days ago, someone asked me if I felt lonely or too sheltered because I had mentioned that all of my friends were made online - like a lot of people, they blamed the fact that I'm homeschooled. I've never been in a public school before, I haven't even stepped foot into one, nor do I have any desire to. They seemed surprised when I told them that I wasn't lonely and I actually wasn't so severely sheltered that I had no opportunity to make friends. I go to church every Sunday and Wednesday, my church has a pretty decent sized youth group and we have a lot of visitors come and go. Outside of church, I do have other opportunities to meet people. When I was younger, I was in a basketball league. I had a whole team of girls my age, but I didn't have a good friend in the midst. But it wasn't because I'm simply too awkward or shy to make friends. I always joke that I have plenty of acquaintances but not many friends. I can make conversation and enjoy myself, but as far as a good friendship goes? I'm picky. I've made the choice myself - I choose God instead of popularity, I choose my convictions over a large group of friends. While my faith and more conservative views may seem to "rob" me of friends to the outsiders, I have no desire to make friends with people that I have nothing in common with. At this very moment, I'm content.

 

 I know I look odd and I know I seem too conservative to many people my age. I'm quite aware. But the good thing about the world we live in now is that I do have chances to have good friends. Just because I live miles away from them doesn't mean the friendship means any less to me. And those friends that I do have? They drop everything for me in a second if I need them, day or night. They are loyal and they'll pray for me. They see me at my worst and they offer honest advice, even if I don't want to hear it at the moment. We hold each other accountable, we are there for each other.

When I stepped away from popularity and stopped praying that I myself would find friends, when I stepped towards God and asked Him to bring me friends, He did. And He brought me some great ones, too. And I know that I can trust Him in all areas of my life - through friendships, relationships, crushes, love, bad times and good times. I just have to try my hardest to remember that His timing is better than my timing, and that I shouldn't focus so hard on doing things by myself.

 

 All good things come from God, not from my flesh. Not from my ideas. Not from my works.

If you're like me, don't give up. Don't give up your morals just to fit into society. Follow God, follow the convictions He gave you and remember that God will grant us everything we need in His own time.
The days, months, or even years that we are alone and don't fit in, are the most special. Because in that time, we can focus 100% on God and our relationship with Him. We can focus on what He expects from us, and you know what? We can realize how much we deserve as God's children. You deserve better than the worldly friends and boyfriends/girlfriends. You deserve good, Godly people in your life.

Don't settle for anything less than what God would give you.