Step Outside Your Box

Sometimes I am amazed at how our paths cross with people over the years. My personality is such that I am always meeting new people. I love people, love to hear their stories, and love to develop friendships with people. As a young person and into my college years, the people I surrounded myself with and met were most often people from some agricultural tie or connection. I usually had met them at a livestock show, convention, or in an ag-based class in college. This was really by design. I didn't want to meet people out of my comfort zone. I wanted to feel safe. I was scared that if I met someone outside of my box, I might actually have to be open-minded. For this small town East Texas girl who was raised as an only child- that was something I was simply not interested in. As I have grown and matured over the last few years, I have made an effort to meet new people and be open to friendships that might not fit into my little box. I am so thankful I have done this. WIthout that mentality, I would have robbed myself of some of the most wonderful friendships. God has so abundantly blessed me with people I can count on and people who have taught me more than they will ever realize.

This picture was taken this weekend at the College Station CrossFit Almighty Friday Open WOD. As a CrossFit community, we completed 14.1. CrossFit has an "open" competition each year and this was the first week of the event. It was such an impactful experience for me. We all come together as a community and complete the assigned workout. People are yelling, shouting, and encouraging you every step of the way. You'll notice this picture is not of us working out. It is of the group prayer before we began. There are two things about this picture that are important to me. First, how cool is it that our box can come together in prayer?? In the world we live in today, that is a huge testament of the faith of the owners, coaches, and members of this great place! Second, the two females who are embracing are myself and Rebecca-- my good friend who I workout with. She is one of those friends who 5 years ago I would have not likely made an effort to get to know. We don't have any agricultural tie to one another. We have totally different careers and were raised in totally different places. That being said, CrossFit (and Jesus) brought us together last semester for a purpose. We needed each other. She is one of my dearest friends and I can say without hesitation that we will be lifelong friends. She has kept me grounded, kept me accountable, and kept me going in times that I really thought I wanted to quit.

I tell that story to encourage you to get outside your box. Meet new people. Have an open mind. Be a friend to people. You never know the impact that one conversation or meeting could have.

Photo creds: Imani Photography www.imaniphotog.com