As I tried to sleep in for once yesterday morning, I woke up to Shane and Nick shouting in my living room. I jumped out of bed, gave them a death glare and closed my door. I was awoken again by Kelsey and Nick running inside exclaiming to everyone that it was pouring down rain outside. Then, later on I woke up to Ashley scraping her bowl of oatmeal in her bed next to mine, which was actually quite funny. I decided to give up on sleeping in and go out into the world to make myself some coffee. Oddly enough, I found more of my teammates gathering supplies to burn ticks off of our dog. (Trust me there is not a lack of entertainment in this house).
I then decided to start making some scrambled eggs and cheese for my breakfast. I was annoyed to have Shane come up to me on one side and watch everything I was doing while he asked how my morning was going. When I looked up I’d be greeted with a huge smile from Emma as she leaned across the counter to check out what I was up to. My immediate first thought was “I CAN NEVER BE ALONE!! I JUST WANT TO MAKE MY BREAKFAST IN THE QUIET!!!” But then I realized that I am so loved.
To have your friends hound you with love the second you wake up is honestly the best thing ever. To have people that immediately want to know how you’re doing and see what you’re up to is a blessing. I never feel alone here and it’s awesome because that’s a feeling that engulfed me during my time in Haiti.
Community living is extremely hard don’t get me wrong. You learn to hold your tongue more then you’d like. You learn that cleaning and keeping track of your items is an absolute must. You learn how to go to the Lord about things that irritate you in order to not hurt another person in the way you speak to them. You learn that serving others is HUGE in creating a gracious, life giving environment.
One of the many questions I find myself asking during the day is “How am I serving others?” That’s something that I challenge you to do as well! It can seriously be something as simple as washing the dishes left in the sink at night and sweeping the kitchen. But if you want to go a little deeper, ask yourself how you can serve those around you with their emotional, physical and spiritual needs. It could be as simple as hugging someone and letting them know that you love and appreciate them. Or even just asking what you could be praying for, for that person that day. Serving others is hard, but yet so so so rewarding! I encourage y’all to step out of your comfort zone and serve someone in a way you never have before or maybe in a way YOU don’t necessarily WANT to but might possibly NEED to.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” Romans 15:5
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
“Above all keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:8-10
