Manistry month has ended. We accomplished a lot this past month. We completed several projects on the new land that SHE owns and got it quite a few steps further along in the construction phase. We spent a lot of time together as men, challenging one another, growing with one another, and loving one another. I don't know if you've ever lived in constant community, let alone constant community with the same sex. It's tough at times. There's a lot of personality between 15 men and to have it all in the same compound 24 hours a day and seven days a week can be tiring. I learned how to be really good and picking my battles.
I learned a lot of other things from them too, though.
Bryan tried to teach me that I had more to offer than just my physical abilities and gifts.
Nathan showed me and helped me take a break from technology and focus on reading the Bible and talking with God, even though he didn't do this intentionally.
Christopher is always teaching me how to love the people around me better. He is always kind, always genuine and always encouraging.
Johnny teaches me every day how to be a great man of God. He is always laughing, always joyful, and always is paying attention to the people around him. He knows quickly if you are having a bad day or a good day and asks if he can do anything to make it better.
Noah teaches me that even though I don't always see eye-to-eye with him, there's grace. We've figured out how to love each other and get along. We don't let the little stuff get in the way anymore.
Jake is our squad theologian. He is amazing. I can seriously bring up an spiritual topic with him and he knows what's up. I have learned so much from listening to him preach. I've learned not only what he's saying in his messages, but how to have passion. He has some serious passion for the Word and for God.
Clark shows me repeatedly how to be vulnerable. Clark is a big guy. Played football and stuff. He's the type of guy that you would see on the street and not want to mess with, but after you get to know Clark he's insightful, and vulnerable, and awesome.
These are just a few examples of the things that these men taught me this month. They have challenged me in so many ways not just in this past month but in the past five. I am so honored and privileged to be here with every single one of them.
L Squad men,
Thank you so much for being the men of God that you are. Thank you for choosing in to community and intentionality in our relationships. Thank you for every thing that you have taught me, helped me to see, showed me, or continue teaching me. I truly love and appreciate each one of you and what you bring to the table. I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses all of us and changes us over the second half of the race. I cannot wait to see where we end up in life. The 15 of us hold the power, through Jesus, to literally change the world. We can change the world.
I seriously cannot even express everything that I felt at manistry month. It was so great and so tough and so miserable all at the same time but if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would in a heartbeat.
Thank you L Squad men!
