Good Bye 20's & Hello 30's

I can honestly say that I've learned alot about life in just last 10 years. When I see photographs of myself at age 20 and younger and I often think to myself, "oh sweet naive Mary, you have no idea what is in store for you." I'm sure that when I turn 40 I will look back at this and think something similar, but that's what life is all about. We learn many lessons as we draw closer to our Lord and as we do this we strengthen our faith and reliance on Him. Even though many of the lessons that I've learned have been difficult ones, ones I struggled through, and ones that I wince at the memory of, I am still thankful for them. They have shaped me into the person I am today and my hope is that the person I am now is wiser, braver, and more Christlike. Here are what I think are the Ten biggest realizations I've had in the last ten years.

1. no matter how much contact you have with kids, you don't really know anything until you have your own.

2. There is a certain kind of security that is given and felt when you have a relationship with your Father, and when this is lost (by death, divorce, or never established) it changes you. After the loss of my father I have an even greater understanding of why God describes himself as our Father, He can offer us a security that no one else can and I am even more dependent upon this now that I have lost my earthly father.

3. Nothing can prepare you for birth of your first child.

4. You can never pray too much.

5. It's one thing to say, "they're in a better place now." and a completely other thing to find joy in your heart knowing that it is better to be in heaven than to be with you.

6. Love that lasts is not a feeling, but a commitment.

7. Write yourself a note when you wash clothes at midnight, because you will forget, and they will make your entire house smell after 2 days.

8. When someone asks what you want for your birthday and your first instinct is to say, "I really don't NEED anything." you are officially an adult.

9. Other than death, I have yet to find anything in life that cannot be reversed or made right.

10. My regrets in life are all things I was too scared to try and none of them are things I tried and failed at.


....And I'm sure there are many others but these are the few that cross my mind the most often.