I often act as though everything and everyone should answer to me. My world is nice, neat and orderly. Just the way I like it – a low-fat cappuccino with lots of foam and crystallized sugar on top. Living in community brought this falsity to the table rather quickly. While I wouldn’t go quite as far as professing to epitomize Webster’s definition of “anal” I will admit to presenting as borderline at times. I’ve actually been known to refold my roommate’s towels a time or two so they match mine. True confessions.

Compromise means letting go of my unreasonable standards. It also means not getting annoyed when someone doesn’t fold hospital corners on their bed. It asks that I acknowledge that I’m not always right, I don’t always have the best ideas, and that I need to let someone else take the lead and to do things differently. I’m still learning how to sit in the backseat at times relationally. When I do, my housemate shines,and I’m able to appreciate her uniqueness.

(This article first appeared in Christian Single Magazine, August 2007)