Leaning against the wall, I looked around at all the students crowded into the purple and black youth room. Relient K blared through the sound system, mixing with the loud laughter and chatter of others in the room. But I wasn't a part of it. Instead, I stood by myself, unnoticed. This happened every single time I went to youth group.

Being shy, I had trouble starting conversations. But even when I did try talking to others, it seemed like no one really wanted to get to know me. It didn't help that I was the "new kid." I had been in the area less than a year, while most of the other kids had gone to the church all their lives. Their friendships had been made long ago, and no one seemed willing to include anybody new. But I kept coming, week after week. I'd even joined a small group. But nothing worked. There seemed to be no way I could really be accepted into this group.

I'd pretty much given up on going to youth group by the time my family moved again—our second move in a year. As we drove across the country, I prayed that God would help me get over my fears about joining a new youth group. I really wanted to try to find someplace to fit in, but I was so afraid of being hurt another time.

After we moved in, my family visited a church not far from our home. Everyone seemed friendly enough. But what about the youth group? I wondered. There was only one way to find out.

There were butterflies in my stomach as I walked into the church's Sunday night youth meeting. OK, God, I silently prayed. I don't want this to be another disappointment. Leaning against a back wall, I looked around at the crowd. But this time it didn't take long before a girl walked over to where I stood.

"Hey! I haven't seen you here before. Is this your first time?" she asked.

"Yeah, it is. I'm Amy." She told me her name and then introduced me to several of her friends. It wasn't long before I was surrounded by a group of girls, laughing and chatting like everyone else in the room.

As I slid into a seat next to my new friends, I knew I wasn't in for an evening of feeling left out or disappointed. I was suddenly excited to spend time worshiping God with Christians my own age. Most of all, I was amazed that I almost instantly felt like I was a part of this youth group.

Although I'd worried about being rejected, I knew God had heard my prayers and had led me to this caring church. Soon I was going to my new youth group every week, and I even joined a small group. Although I still struggled with shyness, I made it a point to talk to kids I didn't know. I wanted everyone to feel accepted and welcomed.

I'm glad I didn't give up on going to youth group. And I'm thankful I pushed past my fears and trusted God to lead me to a place where I could really belong.

Amy wrote her story last winter during an internship with IYF. She recently began her freshman year at Taylor University Fort Wayne.