Imagine the scene: you walk into the compound you live in, after a long day of ministry, and you get told that you have to attend another church service and “be on” for
at least a few more hours before your day can end. Then, you are reminded that you have to go to team time after that service that was supposed to fill you up but just drained more out of you that you seemingly didn’t have to give out anyway.
I absolutely hate the feeling that my team, the six people who I trust the most, don’t get the best part of me, but the frustrated one. They get the part of me that simply wants to go to bed. They get the easily frustrated part of my heart that I really hate to share with the world. They get the part of me that my squad doesn’t always get to see. They get the person who I don’t want to be. They get the ugly parts of my heart that I prefer to keep to myself and not share. They get the parts of my week where I am tired, frustrated, and experiencing so many emotions that I don’t want to share.
They call me to be better about those emotions. They call me out when I complain about something that I should just keep my mouth shut on. They call me out when I don’t open my mouth and use my voice when I should. They keep me in check when my interests are self-serving instead of serving the people around me.
Most people will tell you that community on the World Race is easily the hardest part of it. I agree with that statement, even though we are just in month 2. I have never had the opportunity to have an entire community that is willing to call me out.
They look me in the face and tell me that I’m better than the actions I’m currently doing. They call the truth out in me when the truth hurts. They tell me the things that make them proud. They look at me and tell me that I’m making a difference. The words that come out of their mouths make me better.
They are the ones who ask the question of when was the last time I actually washed my clothes. They ask me if I actually had a shower this week. And they are the people that laugh because we know that none of us actually did some of those things within a time that most people would consider reasonable. They ask me the questions of the things that matter and the things that so easily get away from you when you spend 14 hours doing ministry each day that still remain important. And they laugh with me when we know we all need a shower and some new semi-clean clothes.
I love our team time. We laugh, a lot. Sometimes, we play games. Sometimes, we have hard conversations. Most of all, we are together. We are making memories and building friendships that make us better.
Our lives are a vapor. Our lives are simply a chance to make a difference. Our race will end. This season of our lives is such a short season of our lives. The season where I spend most all of my time with the 6 people who are on my team. That’s why community for us is an intentional choice.
And that’s why my team doesn’t get a polished, wrapped with a pretty bow girl every night. They see me at my worst because they see me in every part of my day. They see me at my best because they see me in every part of my day. They get the raw and dirty one, the one who needs a shower.
We have conversations over ministry tables, while doing dishes, and while walking home. They are the ones that hold my arms up when I can’t do it myself. And they are the people that help make me the person I want to become.
Til He Comes,
Kristy
Family and Friends of Team Kabod specifically: Thank you for sharing the most incredible 6 people in the world with me for this season of my life. Thank you for giving them up so that I can walk along side of them. Thank you for teaching them to love well, and to serve to selflessly. They are incredible human beings who each deserve their own blog. They are special, loving people. THANK YOU!
P.S. Fundraising Update: Friends, I am blown away from your support. I am currently at $9250 which leaves me with just $1750 to get to before April 1st. I would love to partner with you to continue to be a part of God’s story around the world. Click on the link to the left that says SUPPORT ME if you would like to support me financially or partner with me again. I am so thankful for the most incredible support team in the world!
