I trained in Gainesville for 6 weeks. I did domestic ministry with Samaritans Purse for 2 weeks. I was in Guatemala for 2 months. I was in South Africa for 2 months. I am now in Ecuador for 2 more months.
In the past 8 months, I have met countless new people and grown the deepest relationships all over the world. I now have roots deep not solely just in Dripping Springs anymore.
There is a mentality in my life I lived with for a while that has been broken during my race. That mentality is the belief that if I am not planted in one place for a long amount of time (or permanently), there is no point in growing deep roots or finding community in those around me because I am just going to leave anyway.
These 9 months consist of my squad and I going to many different places for sometimes weeks or months at a time, but never more than that. We live in host homes or on bases with hosts, staff and mentors. We do ministry with organizations and ministries often with a variety of people including other young adults, children, locals, and more. We live in different countries and cultures for 2-3 months where we make friends at worship nights or the grocery store. Not to mention we live as a squad as well. We’re together all the time for 9 months straight eating meals together, sharing bathrooms, praying over each other, worshipping together, doing life together. The relationships grown on the race are deep ones at that. Some roots are given 9 months to grow deep, and some are given 5 minutes.
Now imagine if I hadn’t let the Lord break down that mentality. Imagine if I decided that I am going to leave anyways, so I might as well not get too close. I know full well that I would have missed out on so much fullness the Lord had for me where my feet were in those moments.
I now have roots in friends from New York from Samaritan’s Purse. I have roots in my squad since Gainesville, Georgia. I have roots in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. I have roots by the beach Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. I have friends on a mountain in Ecuador. All in the span of 8 months
So with that said, as the body of Christ we are not meant to withhold ourselves from seeking community, and withhold a potential community from seeking us just because of the boxes we put our seasons of life into. Community comes in all shapes and sizes. It looks different moment to moment. Goodbyes are tough, but hear it from my personal experience: the hardest goodbyes are part of the deepest most beautiful fruit of community. The more painful the goodbye, the more it shows the impact those people have had on us.
So here’s to building deep roots, and letting the boxes and timelines we put community into fall away.
Bye for now,
MG
What a gift God has given you and then taking those seeds and courageously planting them in other lives— what a journey! I feel like this is just the begging for you in His mighty ministry!! I am in awe of you—- To God be the Glory!! Hallelujah
I love this!!!! So beautiful and. So true!!!
I love this so much, MG! God means for us to be in relationship! He shows how people work together and encourage one another all through His word! Cultivate those friendships, dear one! Distance doesn’t stop love! I love you, MG and am so proud of the young woman that you are! Xoxoxo
MG!!!! Yes, this is it. This is the Lord. Life is the table. It’s called Sangha in Buddhism – to denote the community of people devoted to the spiritual search. Community. Togetherness. I love that you have tuned in. Travel – Domestic and international is the greatest teacher of humanity and life. To see the world in ways that we don’t know we don’t know is such a treasure. To witness other humans, divine beings, that are different – but all the same. So beautiful. Katie
This is a good word, Mary Grace. A good reminder for all of us at any stage, in any season of life, no matter how long or short it may be. Thanks for sharing.