Lets have a real life moment and let me tell you my TRUE feelings! For the last 11 months…I have not slept in a room by myself, gone to the bathroom by myself or been alone at all! Joining the world race means you sign up to be surrounded by people 24/7! It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the people….you will soon learned everything about them and more! It is not easy! It is not for everyone! It will change your way of living!
So I have made a list of the top 10 reasons why I HATE community!
10. I hate the fact that there is always someone to laugh with and tell funny stories to. You walk into any place and the room is filled with laughter and smiles. Laughter can range from a little giggle to tears rolling down your face, stomach hurting, I have to pee laugh.
9. I hate the fact that if you run out of something like shampoo or toothpaste or want to borrow someone’s computer or shirt…there is always someone there to help you out!
8. I hate the fact that you always feel safe when a situation seems a little scary. Walking into a weird open market or having to go to the ATM and get out money never has to be done alone.
7. I hate the fact that if you are missing home or found out any kind of news from a family member or friend…there is always someone there to share it with! More than likely they will always be willing to listen to every word you say and they will be willing to laugh and cry with you. Your family will become their family! They will know the names of your siblings and best friends.
6. I hate the fact that living in community it means that prayer is always the “go to” thing. I mean come on…praying over people for healing or strength…praying for people for their future…praying for the countries we have visited…praying for America! Prayer is always there…you can never run from it!
5. I hate that living in community means you have to enjoy all night worship sessions. You have the freedom to be ‘alone’ with God in any way you want to. You will hear guitar chords or iPods blaring music that hits you right where you need it the most.
4. I hate living in community because there is always someone there to talk to. It doesn’t matter the time or the day…they are ALWAYS there! You can talk about silly, mundane things or something that you are struggling with! You can talk about what you have learned in your time with Jesus or something about ministry that you enjoyed. Those conversations become so important and so vital; you will find yourself seeking those people out every day!
3. I hate the fact that you find yourself having little inside jokes with people! It could be something someone said or did…it could be a memory of any sort. You will find yourself giggling at random times and wanting to find others to enjoy the moment with you!
2. I hate the fact that the people you live in community with becomes your family. They are the people that see right through the walls that you try to build up! They are the people that can read you like a book! They are the people that encourage you and support you no matter what! They are the people that will know you better then you know yourself!
1. BUT the thing that I HATE the most is that I really don’t hate any of this AT ALL!!!!!! In fact I am going to miss every single thing that I have just listed! I wish I could take this community that I have had for the last 11 months and take it home with me.
God has seriously blessed me with a community that I will always treasure! I have found myself more times: laughing so hard my stomach hurts, sharing my heart , asking for prayer, tearing down my walls and being able to worship Jesus without the fear of any judgment! I have felt encouraged and supported by so many people!
I know it is going to be hard to leave this new way of normal but I know God is going to provide me with an even better community at home! I have no idea how He is going to be able to outdo himself after this year but lucky I don’t have to worry about His plan.
