Secure and at Peace

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this secure and at peace. 

I know this feeling won’t last for very long.  Things will churn up again; fires will need to be put out; something or someone will make me question my choices and intentions… 

I know this, but for today, I’m feeling secure and at peace.

What makes today different?

Well, yesterday, my new neighbor made it a point to let me know that I could call him and his wife whenever I needed help.  As a single woman, this assurance is worth more than a pot of gold.

The day before that, I met a very nice couple, who was starting their lawn maintenance business.  Even though our relationship is based on business, it's still comforting to know that I can call them for help with the house.

The day before that, I let a stranger disorient me a bit — and not in a good way.  He contacted me through one of those online dating sites.  His profile stated that he was a Christian counselor, and he reached out to me because he felt that he and I had a lot in common. I wrote him back and answered his questions.

In his second email, he confessed and apologized for his initial thoughts about me.  At first, he didn’t believe I was who I said I was.  He thought I wasn’t a real person, but someone who created an open and positive profile for the sole purpose of baiting and using people.  After I responded to his inquiry, he realized his mistake and apologized for his initial thoughts.

What is it in my openness that this counselor finds intimidating — intimidating to the point that he felt compelled to attack my genuineness?  I also wonder how many other “professional counselors” would question my sincerity and motives.

Do you know how painful it is to open yourself up to others and have them tell you they don’t believe you?

So... yeah... that day didn’t start out so good for me.

But, later that afternoon, I shared the Christian counselor’s confession and my self-doubts with Katherine.  She made an interesting observation.  She wondered how effective he was as a counselor, if he uses the same techniques on his patients.  How open and comfortable will people be with him?

As for my doubts about what we’re doing, Katherine has no doubts.  This experience just reveals that we have something to share with others that professional counselors may not be able to envision…

So, yeah… it’s because of these wonderful and supportive people surrounding me, that I feel so secure and at peace, today.

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