I was raised heavily involved in community thanks to my parents. We were active, we were present and we were a part of something bigger than ourselves at all times (or so it seemed).
At World Race training camp, the topic of “living in community” was ever-present. I thought, “This is going to be a piece of cake. Communal living is right up my alley. Bring it on!” We live in an old farmhouse with shoe-box sized rooms and one bathroom for all. How hard could it be?
My answer: VERY HARD. A LOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT. ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I’VE EVER DONE. Don’t get me wrong, I love my fellow racers, but communal living is nothing like I expected and sometimes not exactly what I hoped for. I was not involved in sorority life, but I imagine my living situation this month to be like a sorority house on steroids.
Two teams + 11 girls = pure chaos.
We have extracurricular functions to attend together (meetings, dinners, team-time activities). We also have ministry together and must grocery shop together. We share bathrooms and bedrooms and kitchen space. The dishes pile up and breakers blow and the trash probably needs taken out… again. Not to mention the walls in our log cabin are paper thin, so even when you think you’re alone, you’re not.
In fact, alone time is nearly nonexistent, although we are all craving it.
Throw in hormones and personality differences and a variety of upbringings. We struggle with inclusion and finances, communication and drama. Mistakes, big and small, are an inevitable part of community. It’s incredibly challenging and it’s not always fun.
Togetherness is great, but togetherness makes life hard. Togetherness pushes buttons and brings out true colors. Togetherness teaches us about ourselves and a whole lot about others. Most of all, togetherness is full of grace.
I am forever grateful for the life skills I am learning in this house and the closeness with Christ I’ve developed when He is the only one I want to turn to. I confide in Him more than ever. I seek His acceptance, assurance and affirmation over any human’s. I’m learning to lean into His love above everyone else’s in this journey of mine. Today I’m thanking God for the lessons He has taught and will continue to teach me during this year of constant-communal life. Please pray for my teammates and I as we learn together, grow together and serve together!
Much love,
Carley
