Blog entry I wrote back on March 1, 2010. Thought I would share. My housing update is at the bottom of the entry….
Discomfort is what I’m
voting for!
This is something I feel my mind has been opened to during this time of preparation. I was recently asked, “what are you doing to prepare for the race?” I silently laughed, looked up toward God, smiled, and replied, “well I’ve moved 3 times in the last 3 months, I am sleeping in a closet on an air mattress, and am not sure where I’m going to be staying next month…..I would say God is doing the preparation, I’m just trying to walk smoothly through it.” While walking through this preparation what society labels as “discomfort” has become more comfortable to me than societal “comfort.”
As you know I have beenliving at a friends house in a closet on an air mattress….you can laugh, most
people do. 🙂 But it’s my
closet. (Picture on right) Sure there have been many nights where I’ve been exhausted and just
wanted a room with all of my stuff and a place of rest. With my little
nightstand, a bed off the floor, and my old bedtime routine….You get tired of
living out of your car and a closet….and this has been
exhausting. But God has provided a roof over my head, food to eat, and a
community to love on and be loved on by. It’s not what I expected, but it’s been more than I could have asked for! I’ve been able to create a new bedtime routine with the girls I live
with, I have a few beds to choose from (my fancy blue air mattress, the red couch, or the brown couch), and the kitchen table is my new nightstand. 🙂
When I received an invitation from some friends for me to enjoy their house
while they were away, I have to be honest, I got gitty when I realized I would
be sleeping in a real bed Friday night..haha. BUT, I realized as I sat in a
house all by myself Friday night that I would rather live in community in a bit
of discomfort than live alone in comfort. The bed was comfortable and the peace
was enjoyable but by Saturday morning I was ready for “pancake morning.” I was
ready to talk about weekend plans, to watch a Saturday movie with the
roommates, or just enjoy the company. I didn’t want the normal comforts that surrounded me, rather the people and the moments I have are what I longed for.
while they were away, I have to be honest, I got gitty when I realized I would
be sleeping in a real bed Friday night..haha. BUT, I realized as I sat in a
house all by myself Friday night that I would rather live in community in a bit
of discomfort than live alone in comfort. The bed was comfortable and the peace
was enjoyable but by Saturday morning I was ready for “pancake morning.” I was
ready to talk about weekend plans, to watch a Saturday movie with the
roommates, or just enjoy the company. I didn’t want the normal comforts that surrounded me, rather the people and the moments I have are what I longed for.
Well, my time in my closet has come to an end. I will be moving to one of my pastor and his wife’s home while they are in Florida tomorrow. But I have learned so many valuable things while at Lane Blvd and am thankful for my time I’ve had at the house. A few things I have learned are….
1. How to live simply – with all of my belongings in a laundry basket, rubbermaid bin, and my backseat.
2. What it looks like to live in community – living alongside brothers in Christ, experiencing conflict resolution with roomies, endless nights of joy and laughter, beautiful conversations about God our Creator, who He is, what He is doing here on earth, and being able to praise His name with my brothers and sisters.
3. To trust God for provision on a month to month basis in the area of housing.
4. How to live with people for a month, love them, be loved by them, and then depart from them. Trust me it’s not easy…
5. And finally, to Surrender ALL. Being reminded God wants me to give Him EVERYTHING. Every detail, every worry, all that I have physically, and all that I am.
Thank you to all my roommates at Lane. All of you are a part of
the race and have been such a blessing to me. They have helped with the t-shirt
design, selling necklaces, encouragement, support, love, and friendship. I will
greatly miss living with all of you! Thank you also to those of you who have supported me through this time of nomad living.
the race and have been such a blessing to me. They have helped with the t-shirt
design, selling necklaces, encouragement, support, love, and friendship. I will
greatly miss living with all of you! Thank you also to those of you who have supported me through this time of nomad living.
Housing update 3-31-10: After a
brief stay at a family’s house while they were in Florida, I moved in with a
woman from my church. I feel like I’m back in ‘comfort’ and not knowing what to
do with myself. I have a closet now, rather than live in a closet. I haven’t had one in 2 1/2 months and it’s funny how used to I was living out of my rubbermaid bins. But I’m
emptying my Rubbermaid bins (my suitcase if you will) and am beginning to get
settled. It’s an odd feeling knowing I’m going to be leaving in 3 months but it’s
another great opportunity to work on simplifying and living in community. Thank you all for your
prayers leading me to this home!
