Generation LINK Community

Whenever I share with people that I live with 5 other girls, their initial response is always: "is that hard"? I always respond with a resounding, "no"! I absolutely love the 5 women I live with.

I've had this post rolling around my head for a few days. I'm not quite sure how to get my love for these girls and our time living together out on paper.

Community is one of the five core values of Generation LINK. The program is strategically designed for all participants to live in community and have fellowship with believers.

This year has far exceeded my expectations as far as community goes. I've never enjoyed a season of roommates as I have this past year with Jenna, Caroline, Savannah, Lauren, and Leslie. In fact, just tonight as I sat at the kitchen table with a few of my roommates, we talked about how sad we are to see this season come to an end as a few of us are moving on to different things in life like marriage and new jobs, while a few of us will stay and some are still trying to discern the leading of the Lord.

I know that this year will stand out as I look back to this season of life. It will be characterized by laughter, love, correction, confession, encouragement, accountability, tears, and a deep joy that my words just can't quite express.

I'm going to miss coming upstairs most mornings seeing Leslie do her stretches while she waits for the water for her tea to boil. And every morning when Savannah comes down the hall in her blue robe and goes straight for her Honey Bunches of Oats :) Or how every time I'm in the hallway and Jenna comes out of her room I have to let her know I'm there or it will scare her (which is always hilarious - to me). And when Caroline comes in the door each night excited to tell us all about her "crazy day"! And hearing the blender each morning as Lauren makes her chocolate, banana protein shake! 

These girls are simply the best.

But it's not just their personality traits and quirks I love and will miss. It's their deep love for the Lord and his Gospel that spurs me on to love Jesus more deeply.

This is played out in all sorts of ways. Whether we are having dinner together sharing about what's going on and speaking encouragement into one anther's life.

Or when I've sinned against one of my roommates or they see an unhealthy pattern in my life and they come to me with correction that points me to the Lord and leads me to repentance, all while extending much grace.

I love how easily and how often we are engaging in conversations about the Lord, who He is and what He is doing in each of our lives.

Matt Chandler says about community: "It is apparent that community is not some peripheral Christian teaching but is central to the outworking of God’s purpose in the world. God is glorified when He is properly reflected; by dwelling in unity, we rightly image our communal Maker."

God has been gracious to teach and remind each of us to keep short accounts. We have had many opportunities to extend the grace of the Lord to one another and spur one another on as we run this race together. We have learned what it is to image our Maker in this way.

I would say that for the first time, I've experienced what it is to live in real, raw, messy, biblical community and fellowship. And I'm humbled and deeply grateful for this year with these girls.

One night recently we were all up late laughing and having the best time. Caroline said it best then when she said, "These sweet moments are some of the best things in life :)"

I couldn't agree more. 
Thank you Lord for these women that love you, image you, and daily point me to you and your Word.

Posted by: Krystal Brummitt