In one of my more isolating seasons on the field, I moved to a new city and knew nobody. My kids were painfully lonely and craving interaction. My own interpersonal contact consisted of the market vendors and a few kind neighbors. I knew we stuck out as foreigners and found myself dreading going outside to be stared at once again. While I appreciated being noticed, the silence surrounding me was deafening. I ached for connection and community but instead people watched from a distance. 

Realizing that I was the only woman in the neighborhood with uncovered hair–and blonde hair at that–I had a stroke of genius. In an effort to fit in, I began dying my hair darker–maybe if I’m not so blonde, I won’t stick out as much. The hair color worked as I was now able to go out without being stared at. Obviously though, dying my hair was not a long-term solution to belonging. I was left with a drastically different hair color even my own mother didn’t recognize! 

I had hoped for relationship in this community. I dreamed of opportunities to share my faith. But I had not anticipated the time it takes to be accepted into a community. 

It was a visit with friends that strengthened my heart. “Laurie, they may not ever be your friends. It might take them a long time to trust you because they know you don’t belong.”  She continued, “But as you persevere in humbly living your life before them–yes, even in the fishbowl–they might begin to trust you. And it’s possible they might begin to want to hear what you have to say.”  

Despite how isolating of a situation we find ourselves in, we already belong in a family. First Peter is written to people of God who had been scattered throughout the ancient world. We too find ourselves scattered and strangers in a foreign land. These verses remind us that regardless of how isolated we may feel or appear, we are part of a royal body of believers, spread across geography and time. We have a unique family and a holy calling. We belong. In His arms we are at home–no matter the hair color.