I’m an introvert.  Many of you probably already knew this.  It’s not hard to figure out from my lack of “partying” posts and all the time I spend reading (and blogging, too).  I know those of you who know me in real life know this.

As an introvert I need time alone.  Nothing wrong with this…it’s the way that God made me.  Spending time with people is draining, and I’ve got to re-charge in a dark, quiet room, usually with a good book or an episode of Glee or any NCIS or CSI.

But as a sinful introvert, I crave time alone and overindulge.  As a part of my church’s How People Change class (great book…definitely recommend it!), we’re required to work on something in our life that needs changing for our Personal Growth Project.

At the encouragement of my extremely-extroverted future roommate (Jen), I agreed that my escapist tendencies (and the sinful underlying desires and motives) needed to be the subject of my project.

Friday was a peaceful day at the office.  The storm was over.  This should have been a relaxing day, but I found that I was rather miserable.  Why?  I didn’t take too much time to investigate the inner workings of me, as I realized I had spent the whole week focused INWARD.  Solution?  Turning my focus outwards.

This past weekend I had several social opportunities that I had initially dismissed as they weren’t “my thing.”  Once I chose this project, I quickly committed to them, and told Jen so that she’d hold me accountable.

You know what? It wasn’t so bad.  While I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed every minute of those social events, I didn’t despise them. Uncomfortable moments came…and passed.  I even added in some impromptu hangout time with roommates past, present, and future (to their great surprise).

The great thing was that it wasn’t even draining.  Yes, I was tired at the end of the weekend, but no more than I would after any normal day.  Though my feelings don’t rule me, I did feel better Sunday night after spending all weekend with people than I did Friday afternoon after spending the day alone. God indeed gives grace for the tasks He gives me.

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