For those of you acquainted with the intimate details of my fast-paced life, just a mere few months ago, I (accompanied by two other willing participants) journeyed off campus and re-located into a handsome, yet comfortable, apartment complex just fifteen minutes north of SBTS. The fact that we even FOUND this place was undoubtedly ordained by God (Donna, first of all, COMPLETELY got her orignial directions wrong; got all turned around in Sellersburg, IN; and that was when - lo and behold - she mosied past Lakeview Apts, our new neighborhood). As the days and weeks have past, we have contented ourselves with transforming this ample empty space into a cherished sanctuary of solitude and serenity. Not bad...if we do say so ourselves. :) Welcome to our humble abode:
Granted, we're never quite "done" with our little "touches" (as you can see, the place is "lived in" already); but even more than any decorating endeavors we've embarked upon thus far, all of us were incredibly impressed by the countless lessons, illuminations, and (gasp) relational obstacles (there - I SAID IT!) we've already encountered. When first considering rooming together, there was a definite attitude of anticipation as we wondered how the Lord would work amongst the three of us to peel away the invisible (yet plentiful) layers of selfishness and pride, in order to expose our tender underbellies to REAL humility and TRUE Self-abandonment. I mean - let's face it: cramming three independenct adult women into a limited space for an extended period of time smells of a DEFINITE opportunity for holiness and sanctification, if you ask me. Community breeds challenges - and challenges (when handled on your knees, and with the Bible in both hands) initiate a wealth of opporutnity for growth in our "vertical" relationship with God, which naturally filters into our "horizontal" relationships with our "apartment family."
I can honestly confess: sharing this apartment with these two amazing women of God has hurled me into a whole new level of intimacy and accountability. We have seen each other at our worst: morning breath, sick days, and so much more... The little quirks and truths that we often get away with hiding in the dorms have come spilling out all over the bathroom floor (OK, this is just a metaphor for those wondering), but the coolest part is:
it makes no difference...the love just keeps on growing. :)
The lines of friendship have blurred and blended with those of family, and the thought of coming home at the end of a long day is like soaking in a hot bath after a day-long triathalon: absolute healing. Oh, don't get me wrong: we experience our fair share of unrinsed-dishes-in-the-sink, sleep-talking roomies, and eating-straight-out-of-the-ice-cream- box-instead-of-dishing-it-into-a-bowl just like everyone else (all random pet-peeves)...
...but the joy of knowing that you are a beloved member of God's eternal Family; the comfort of experiencing God's grace and constancy from other human beings; and the knowledge that it's all happening because of His perfect will and refinement in your life changes the age-old addage:
Three's not a crowd. Three's company. :)
And so, in conclusion, my thoughts are these: Could this be a glimpse of what it might be like to be married? If so, what lessons are we learning that might aid us if the Lord leads us into a committed relationship? And when that happens...
What do I do if he talks in his sleep?
2 comments:
I still hold to the idea that you secretly enjoy my talking in my sleep... you just don't realize it yet. :) I think the funniest thing you told me about was the night that I starting giving instructions in my sleep to someone about singing a song and then ended the tangent with a declarative, "It's a hard, GREEN song."
Jen - I have absolutely loved being your roommate. We have definitely had (who are we kidding - HAVE) our moments of frustration and miscommunication, but I wouldn't want to have them with anyone else other than you and Lisa. Making our place home has been more than repainting coffee tables and mirrors. By the tender mercies of God we have been able to create a place of trust, unconditional love, and mutual support, spurring each other on toward godliness. The months ahead are going to be great!
By the way, thanks for displaying my outrageous frog collection. :)
- The Queen of the Lilypad
Hear, Hear! The honorable Lisa is now entering the room...er...blog. Okay, so that's a bunch of bologna (pronounced the way it reads)
There are no two other girls I would rather be sharing my life (and apartment...smile) with then you and Donna. It really does feel like coming home, to come walking in the apartment, and know someone is waiting for you and wanting to hear about your day.
I love the fact that all three of us take turns to pitch in and help each other out...and occasionally go the extra mile, or 50th. That is family. (besides the fact that between the three of us we can always be sure we have a functioning vehicle...smile)
I love the fact that we are really beginning to know all the little things that make each other tick, the things that make us laugh or drive us crazy, our strange idiosyncrasies, all the bizzare things we are willing to eat for the sake of "community," the joint efforts in caging the Beast, not to mention our mutual appreciation for the quotable Brian Regan.
Like you said before, Jen, we are no longer mere observers of the work God is doing in each other's lives but are willing, close participants. Thank you for letting me witness God at work in your life and doing the same for me. I pray that all three of us will continue to spur each other on toward love and good works...as we learn to serve Him...together.
the other one (aka...me)
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