I had just found out another school mom was going through some very tough stuff. And, for her, this resulted in

• a hurting heart,
• a mind that couldn’t be quieted, and
• pain that kept her from showing up like a “good” mom would.

For me, I found myself asking questions.

• Why didn’t I talk to her sooner?
• Why didn’t I open up about my own situation?
• Why hadn’t I asked if she wanted to meet for coffee?

And now our family was days away from moving. Not just a few minutes, but seven hours and four states away.

Why hadn’t I reached out to her? Maybe I was scared—scared to connect with the other moms and teachers at school. Maybe I was afraid to be vulnerable because I might be laughed at or alienated. Maybe I would open up to someone who couldn’t possibly understand what I was dealing with. So sometimes we hide. We stay home from cross country meets or basketball games. We don’t go to the moms’ Bible study and shy away from school volunteer opportunities all because we are uneasy.

How can we overcome this unease and the fears to reach out?

Our Father calls us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). As we mimic his grace (no matter how apprehensive we may be) we will seek out those who need a hug or need someone to listen. We are a smiling face that invites someone to grab a cup of coffee—or, if I’m being honest, a glass of wine! This can be the start of an amazing friendship. You can comfort a mom who needs to be reminded of Jesus’ love. Or start a relationship with a teacher who might not even know Jesus yet. But people can feel his love as he shines through you.

And, even if—even if it doesn’t go the way you hoped, what does our Father tell us? “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…” (Colossians 3:12). We are chosen! We should have been rejected but instead, our God specifically selected you and me to be his daughters. We are chosen to walk in the beauty and perfection of heaven someday. We are holy and dearly loved by a God who is our Father. Our Dad. He will wrap you in his arms and remind you of his many promises.

Step out of your comfort zone and reach out to the school mom struggling with her kiddo or your child’s teacher who looks a bit frazzled this week. Even a smile or a kind word can change their life and yours.

Hundreds of miles. Seven hours. Four states. But all were spanned by God’s grace. We are still connected, concerned for one another and able to celebrate God’s good news.