The Beauty of Inclusion

“My friends list is full right now so unless someone drops off- I can’t take anyone else on.” - Me

Yes. I just quoted myself. I just quoted myself sounding like a complete douche bag. Seriously. This is a real quote. I used to say this… ALL THE TIME. 

I believed if I had a couple of friends then I was doing good. And I made sure I didn’t really include anybody else in anything I was doing for fear that they would get the idea we could be friends. Really? I am not even that cool. I want to hit myself for even thinking I had that kind of influence. 

All of this to say- I learned the art of excluding women. I could have taught a class in it. I could walk into a room and specifically pick out who I wanted to talk to and make every effort to not talk to anyone else. I am typing this while laughing and rolling my eyes at my old patterns of life. “Oh my gosh. You were such a bitch.” 

Was my fear that I didn’t have time for other people? That I couldn’t keep up with the demands of knowing everyone’s birthday, favorite food, kid’s names?? I wish. That would have maybe been a good reason.

But the truth is, I was scared. I was scared that people would want to get close to me and expose all the areas I am a mess in. I was scared that they may have better gifting or better talents than me and I would not be needed in the circle of friends any longer. I was scared that the more people in your life, the less control you have over your relationships. And we all know that there is no better friend than one that controls you, right?!? 

You see the world has given women this weird view of how we should treat each other in a group setting. We are always on the mission to be “exclusive”. The popular ones. We like to circle up with a few friends and then fight for our life to keep everyone else out. While at the same time letting everyone in the world know through FB, Instagram and every other social media site, that we do everything together! 

I would love to say it was just me that used to do that, but years into women’s ministry I hear it all the time. I hear the struggle and hurt of women who have been the product of being left out. I see it everywhere from the little girls in kindergarten at my daughters school to the moms at the gym. We can be great at excluding people where we want and when we want. 

And I HATE it! I am sad and embarrassed to admit this is how I operated for many many years of my life. But God has been working on me in so many areas and this is just one.

What I now know to be true is that the most beautiful women I know are the most inclusive. If they see someone off to the side they make sure to befriend them. They are inviting. They are loving. They are not selfish in friendships. They are secure in who they are and have no reason to think they would ever be replaced. They know their value. And that they have great worth. They are the face of Jesus to many who feel unloved, unwanted and devalued. And I have realized that if we all gave up the act of trying to be cooler than we think we are, we can find treasure in each woman we meet. 

So friends, let’s shake off the exclusive mentality and embrace a culture of inclusiveness. The world is hard on women, so let’s make sure we are not adding to that pain. We owe that to our middle school selves when fitting in was hard. We owe it to our stage of being a first time mom when we felt judged by others. And we owe it to our daughters who are watching us and taking note. Let’s be as kind to one another as we want others to be to us.