This morning, my heart is full because I realise that I have been blessed in the housemate area since I moved out of home. My siblings and I are close so home means random conversations, sharing dreams and hobbies, silly fights that have no head nor tail but are entertaining when you think about them later. I had resigned myself to not having this. But God has given me sisters in my housemates.
Cordelia
From Cordi who lived next door in our studio apartments (I am being very generous with with this description of our flats 😅) but was more housemate than neighbour. We are similar in temperament and so were always in lwaali and vibes, even when life got more serious. The short time that I didn’t have her as a neighbour was my first indication that I might not be able to thrive if I lived by myself or community nearby.
Peruth
Then there was Pepe with whom I spent the the Covid lockdown. Unprecedented times is an understatement because the first lockdown happened a few days after we moved in together. It was one of those blessing-in-disguise moments because we got to bond not just with each other but with our close friends who lived in the same compound. Then she had the unenviable position of living with me during a season of heart-wrenching grief. That time of my life is still a numb blur but I remember her grace and support towards me. She also taught me to be more sensitive towards people with a more quiet and gentle demeanor then mine. To understand that sometimes the social battery runs out and people need to first gather their thoughts, especially in the morning. IYKYK. This lesson has served me well with my current housemate , Val.
Valerie
Val makes this adulting thing easier because we can talk about anything without judgment, which is saying a lot because my girl’s cringe and secondhand embarrassment ante is on high alert😅. Last evening, after we had a beautiful conversation that opened my eyes to being more mindful about pursuing relationships, I took many mental notes. Looking at my vision board this morning and seeing that this is one of the things I aimed to do, I couldn’t help thinking that this was God reminding me to make those phone calls or send voice notes where possible, go for that sleepover, organise that potluck. In short, be intentional. It was also a remider to check in with the women I call mentor or mentee.
Every one of these women has grown me. I have been blessed beyond measure in this area and I give God thanks. 🩷
May you a good housemate fall on you
Praying for anyone who might be navigating a difficult housemate situation. I’ve heard stories that break my heart and pray that God will make a way for you to find harmony in your home. This goes for my married friends as well because those marriage vows are no joke. I was in a difficult housemate situation during my graduate studies and it was frustrating because we had little to no control over the matter. Check out The Seventh Housemate for that experience. That season passed, thank God.
Some would say living alone is the best solution but there’s beauty in navigating day-to-day life with a sister in Christ. I have seen and tasted that iron sharpening iron may cause friction but even that is an opportunity for growth in that season. The 7th houosemate incident taught me to pay attention to who I choose to share a house with. The main thing I look out for is a fellow believer who is open to working out their salvation with someone else, and the discomfort that level of accountability and vulnerability this presents. The Bible calls us to work out our salvation individually, yes. But it also asks to be remain in fellowship with fellow believers that we may encourage and admonish each other.
For housemates, who have done just that and then some, this girl is eternally grateful to God.
There’s a poetic stillness in your prose that invites deeper contemplation and leaves a lasting impression.