learning to love.

Living with roommates comes with some interesting learning curves. I have realized a lot about myself, what my funny quirks are, but also how I interact with others.

One of my roommates is my polar opposite, in every way imaginable. Most of the time we get along - we're childhood friends. But at moments, our 'oppositeness' is really apparent. For example, when she goes over to her 'non-boyfriend' friend's house... or repetitively curses the big guy upstairs with every snowfall. Or when her crumbs leave a trail across the kitchen counter, or when she voices her position on pregnancy.

I know I am the only Christian influence in her life. I'm not wanting to go all preachy in her life, but I hope that somehow, I can model a better lifestyle for her. A lifestyle without frantic pregnancy tests and black-out parties. So when I want to pull out my hair at her quirks and comments, there's a voice in my head that warns me not to ruin our friendship over an opinion. On the days I want to just yell when she tells me stories of her 'escapades', I realize that somehow, despite her choices, I need to love her for just being her.

God does that for us - He loves us just the way we are: quirks and all. So with this in mind, I hope that my actions are what she'll remember, and that she'll see a better road for this life.

D.