What I know for sure.
You can convince yourself you don't really need face to face interaction with people...because sometimes you don't. Sometimes you need quiet. Sometimes you need to rest and be still.
Sometimes you need to work or write or dream.
And that often requires alone time.
But a few years ago, somehow, I convinced myself that I didn't really need that human interaction...that I was just fine behind the computer. I could still connect and communicate, after all, I prefer the written word.
But you know what I realize now? I was hurt. I was scared. I was in "protection mode." Because when people turn out not to be what they said they were, that has an affect on you...and it's easy to go into hiding when you're hurt.
Now, though, I realize that's not where we're meant to stay. I think our journey to Colorado allowed me the quiet, alone time I needed. I convinced myself I was an introvert and faceless interactions were sufficient. After this experience directing our show with nearly 100 kids and their families, I know better.
Nothing takes the place of the human connection.
Maybe you're like me, and you've built a nest around yourself, allowing only a very small handful of people entry...maybe you've spun a web of protection, to keep from getting hurt, convinced you don't need anyone or anything. Maybe you're overly cautious...
I was. I'd been hurt. I'd had the wool pulled over my eyes. I'd been fooled.
But that "protection" I created for myself really just kept me from fulfilling a part of my purpose. See, we aren't meant to live lonely lives. We're meant to encourage and uplift and inspire each other...and yes, words do that, but they cannot, not even for a second, replace the face to face.
That's a connection that can't be replaced.
And why would we want it to be?
There are lots of emotions flooding through me this afternoon as I decompress from several stressful, rewarding, challenging, amazing weeks...but mostly I'm just feeling so thankful that God brought us back here, to work with these kids, to purpose to encourage them and to watch them shine.
I couldn't do any of that from behind a computer screen...
