Naked, Exposed, and Lonely

This picture represents the way I am feeling. I feel naked, exposed, and lonely. I don't mind being single. I know that is what God's will for me is at this moment in time. I understand that I haven't met the right person...and that I'm not the right person myself, yet. However, the world around me is coupled off into pairs...leaving me naked, exposed, and lonely. I was at a party with people that I have known for years....yet, I was all alone. I walked to different groups...trying to find a conversation to join. One group was talking about babies...which I haven't come to that time in my life...so I just stood there trying to join the conversation... Another group was talking about their jobs and new ventures they are taking on....I don't work. I still go to school full time...I didn't fit in that group. A third group was talking about their upcoming weddings or weddings they just had...again...I didn't fit. I walked around for an hour amongst people that I love and care about...but felt so extremely alone. I finally just slipped out of the back door. I'm sure no one even noticed I left. I was in tears by the time I reached my car. I am so happy for my friends who have found love and I celebrate with them. However, I no longer fit with my friends. I am even left out of the loop when the couples all get together to hang out. At the same time of this loneliness...I feel change occurring in my life. I feel that a new season in my life is progressing towards me. I feel that I am being stripped of layers that I have put up around myself. It is good to get rid of the layers...however, I am not doing this to myself. It almost feels that an outside force is stripping the layers off. I don't know how to explain it. It's almost a feeling of growing into oneself. I am letting go of the old and as a result finding a new, real me underneath. Now that I'm naked...I'm exposed to the elements around me. No more can I hide underneath the layers...I now have to come face to face with reality and all that life and God is offering or not offering me. Naked. Exposed. Lonely. It is heartbreaking...and yet juvenating at the same time. It's a time for rebirth, reflection, and renovation. Time to let the rain wash all the hurts away, the old crappy layers off, get rid of the dirt and grim...and become something beautiful.