โTo the woman feeling like she no longer belongs:
A few years ago I felt the sting of rejection within a group of friends.
There wasnโt a falling out, but a less than obvious fade away.
Ever happen to you?
I had taken one direction in my life, and my decision meant a โfalling out of favorโ with them.
I noticed the conversation in the group thread stopped.
I noticed the pictures of the smiling women at dinners and concerts and weekend hangouts didnโt include me.
I noticed a distance, a feeling of not quite belonging.
And what stung most was not knowing why.
I didnโt know what I had done or what caused me to feel like such an outsider.
I started to feel awkward like I was often a topic of conversation instead of just a part of it.
Even to this day, every once in a while I feel that sting of rejection seeing them in a friendship that I didnโt quite make the cut for.
Years after our parting of ways, the rejection still stings.
And maybe in your own life, you too have felt that sting of rejection.
Soโฆ
For what itโs worth, healing from the hurt has opened doors to relationships at the time I donโt know that I wouldโve been ready for.

Looking back, I realize their rejection was really protection.
The season they had in my life wasnโt meant to last for a lifetime.
I didnโt understand it then, but I realize now where God was calling me to go, wasnโt the same path for them.
He was bringing people into my life that would help me step into that season.
And I think friend, the same may go for you too.
Iโm grateful for their rejection.
Iโm grateful for the lessons it taught me and the way it shaped me.
Although I didnโt have a seat at their happy hourโฆ
I got something even better.
I know it might hurt, but I promise you, friendโฆ
something good is going to come from it.
Just wait.
And in the meantime, Iโll be rooting for you.โ

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Katy Ursta of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here.
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