Romans 15:7: So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.

Where does the divorced person fit in at church? I am very blessed to be part of a wonderful spirit-filled church that has never made me feel uncomfortable or unacceptable just because I am divorced. From the beginning I was made to feel at home. I was not barred from serving and teaching as I would have been in some denominations. I was encouraged to fulfill the call that God has put on my life to serve his church with my gifts of administration and hired as the church secretary.

Yet, even with this full acceptance offered to me, there have been and continues to be times when I feel that I don't fit in. The single parent families in my church are far outnumbered by the whole families. Usually this isn't a problem. At pot lucks and other family gatherings, I can always gravitate to another single moms for companionship.

There is always the occasional awkward situation though: I was invited to a picnic by friends at church last summer and looked forward to it. After I arrived however I realized that I was the only "single" in the bunch. There were seven sets of couples! When it came time to eat, the couples "coupled off" and for the first time in a long time, I felt very out of place. I looked for the first opportunity to excuse myself and head for home. I'm not usually that sensitive, but it hit me hard that day.

Because I am staff, I am expected to attend all of the events and gatherings. I have often thanked God for that because otherwise I might have a hard time working up the courage to go! I can see where it would be easy for other divorced men and women to simply stay away from group functions to avoid feeling out of place.

Whenever I face a situation in which I don't know where I fit, I have to trust God with it. I may simply ask Him, where do you want me to be? Who do you want me to talk to? Who needs some attention and encouragement? Get your focus off of yourself and you will soon find yourself more at ease. Whatever you do, don't allow yourself to stay home and be isolated from the body of Christ just because there is only one of you!

Father, help me to not see myself as incomplete or missing something. Give me the courage to step out and join in even when it is uncomfortable to do so. Help me to find my place in social functions and be a blessing to other people around me.