Reflections and Learning

So for the past 10 days or so I have been playing house... or taking care of one of my very best friends while he is recovering from knee surgery. I say playing house because I have been here 24/7 cooking, cleaning, taking care of his needs, and doing anything he isn't able to do including being his chauffeur :P This whole experience has taught and shown me many things and I'm sure there are even a few more lessons coming my way as I have another week here before I head back home to the beautiful state of Virginia that I miss very much.

Lesson #1: As patient as I think I have become I can always learn to be more patient. Taking care of another person and sharing life with another person takes ALOT of patience and cooperation. You have to lay down everything that you want and learn that you aren't the most important thing in your life at the moment. The other person especially if that person isn't fully self sufficient right now comes first and you must take their needs and feelings into consideration.

Lesson #2: While improving over the years I don't communicate as well as I think that I do. I already knew that story telling is not one of my strengths but I thought I was doing better with everyday communication considering I live with another person and am in community with a few others on a regular basis but recently I have discovered that I need to work on communicating and listening even better. Especially listening. And if you don't know this already men and women communicate very differently...

Lesson #3: Being selfless is exhausting... taking care of another and not just your self can be exhausting but is a good lesson in breaking the selfish cycle which its very easy to be selfish when you are a single person.

Lesson #4: While a good man can lead you in such things as finances, cars, and computers, he can't be emotionally and spiritually invested in you without knowing Jesus. There are so many GOOD men out there that don't know Jesus and it's so hard to not pursue them because of the wonderful and generous men they are. I desire to be led and challenged spiritually and fully see now more than ever that is what God has been trying to tell me and is preparing me fully for. I believe there is a higher level of intimacy that exists with a man that loves Jesus more than he loves himself. Thank you Jesus for repeatedly pounding this into my head and though I have failed many times picking me back up again and dusting me off.

Stay tuned I'm sure there will be more lessons and reflections to come in 7 more days!