I have chosen to no longer live in the land of Regrets. Regrets had a way of pulling heavy against my soul. They eventually made my feet so heavy that I could not take the next step. They rendered me useless for today.
But looking back and letting the past shape my NOW because of the experience gained, that’s different.
So here are ten things that I have come to know thus far as I meander through life’s adventures:
10. I don’t go anywhere with a complaining attitude. It’s really all about my heart in life. Because I always react in view of it. It shapes my thoughts and my actions. If my heart is not settled, I don’t do too well. And if I complaint, it stops me from seeing what’s really there.
9. If I am going to do it, it’s worth giving it all I’ve got. Because a half-done job is a waste of time and energy, and it speaks of my carelessness, of its lack of value in my eyes. Because a well-done job brings joy to my heart and fruit in the lives of many. Enough said.
8. When I am listening to someone, I should really, really listen. With my heart, and my hands and my eyes and my mind. Listening is one of the most active things I can do, and one of the best ways I can love people. Because when I really, really listen, the person who is talking senses that they are cared for. And when I really, really listen, all of my judgments fall to the ground and I find myself falling in love.
7. I do my best work when I am motivated. Give me a purpose and I am on fire.
6. I need my girlfriends. I was not meant to do life on my own, and it is totally unfair and foolish of me to expect my husband to meet all of my needs for friendship and fellowship. There is just something about hanging out with girlfriends that nothing else on earth can compare to. They get me, and they accept me just as I am, quirkiness and all.
5. Time with Jesus non-negotiable. I don’t do too well in life if I don’t take time out to be alone with God on a regular basis. Because that’s where I can let go of all my frustrations and burdens, recharge, refocus and receive new mercies to go on. Without my time with Him, I am just a big mess. It’s as simple as that.
4. Things taste better with butter. Not much more to say about this one.
3. Some things should never ever be taken for granted. Like the love of my children, or the provision on my table. All of it is a gift from heaven, from the matches in my drawer to the scarf around my neck. From the faithfulness of my husband to the smile of my friends. From the warmth of my house to the trees in the forest. The more I verbalize my thankfulness, the more I enjoy my life.
2. People are not the sum of their belongings. Oh my goodness, this one is so important. I don’t know that I ever thought they were, but there was (is?) still a kind of dichotomy in my judgment of people and it has to do with where they are at in life intellectually, emotionally, financially, and every other -ly there is. Yet before they are anything else, people are created by God to be accepted, loved and nurtured just because they are.
1. God is. Not only is He because He is, but He is relevant in every situation, every thing I ever face, every decision I ever make, every breath that I take.
Now to go from knowing to living in view of these day in and day out, that’s the next step…
Cultivating Thankfulness with Ann Voskamp
#496 Homemade barley soup on a cold day
#497 Sitting in the living room and listening to my grown children talk with each other about their lives.
#498 Seeing clearly that Jesus is the Mind of God manifested, thus THE WORD
#499 The sun shining through the windows in the dead of winter
Sometimes, I link up with any or all of these wonderful writers: Hearts 4 Home, SDG, Hearts Reflected, WLW, EOA, Things I can’t say, Growing Home, Play Dates with God, Monday Musings, Hear it on Sunday, Inspire Me Monday, Tell me a Story, The Better Mom, a Mama’s Story, Into the Word, In and Around Mondays,OYHT, Gratituesday, Titus2Tuesdays, Extraordinay, Lessons from Ivy, Denise in Bloom, Sweet Blessings, Faith Filled Friday, Finding Joy, WholeHearted Home
I love this blog…very good points…never taking things for granted and non negotiable time with the Lord. I have sent this to both of my teens…they need to read this too! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind encouragement, Sherri!
This is awesome! I can relate to every one. As these signify, We need need discipline, humor and spirituality in life to make it! Thanks for sharing.
~Jillene
your #8 is my favorite. i equally try to really be present for my children and my friends. a story is never the same told a second time.
xoxo
Way to go, Barb. #1 & 2 is something I try to remember. Every person is someone and am trying to teach my daughter & granddaughters that exact thing. I learned it at a young age. God has become an important part of my life in the past couple of years. Lots of friends prayed long & hard for me to find the Lord and it suddenly happened.
Yeah!!! So happy you know Him now, Jeri!
You are amazing! I truly love reading your posts. Thanks for linking up at Thumping Thursdays!
thank you for making my day, Erica!
lol to number 4! These are all great truths for us women
This is a wonderful list to share. My list would add go to church. Being in church reminds me to fellowship with others and not just on my own, and it makes me just plain nicer.
I visit here regularly, but today I’ve come from Katherine’s hop (Thursday’s Favorite Things).
Oh I like the extra one; thank you!!!
I could definitely learn to be a better listener for one…
love your list
come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
AMEN!
I now Follow your Inspirational blog. Have a Great Weekend!
I’m visiting via Harvest of Friends Weekend Blog Hop
~ Jill
http://www.frugalplus.com/
And when I really, really listen, all of my judgments fall to the ground and I find myself falling in love.
this. Barbara, this is just right. loved the whole list, but this one jumped off the screen.
thank you for sharing at IP, friend.
What a great assortment of wisdoms. I love the listening bit – that’s HUGE. And I love the butter one – so true!
Thanks for all the good thought-provoking “things.” It’s so useful to sit down and consider what you know. Sometimes when I have had doubts or uncertainties about something, my husband has sat me down and said, “Now tell me what you KNOW.” After stumbling around a bit, I get down to the very basics, and there I see where my strength and certainty lie. And it’s always in God.
Hm. That would be a good thing for me to do right now.
and blog about?
The girlfriends part reminds me of my mom and her “sisters day” which she has every month. She describes them as, “They aren’t me, but they make me me.” and then she laughs. Glad to hear you have a great group of friend. Have a awesome day.
Hi I’m from FF and I came over to say have a great weekend. Your Post here has really quite a lot of food for thought. Thanks for sharing.
lol….things taste better with butter…that’s for sure. All these years my father has been cursing margarine and now health reports say it’s OK to eat butter.
I like #9 – no need to waste time and energy….
I’m stopping by to say ‘hi’ from Katherine’s Favorite Things Thursday – better late than never.
http://artpark78.com/blog1
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I’m also going to check out your posts on listening. I really need to read those. Thanks for sharing this at Romance on a dime!!
This was a thoughtful post and I really enjoyed it and got some encouragement from it. I need to complain less..oh, we don’t really call it that but that is what it is!!ank
Thanks for linking up with me this week over at WholeHearted Home. Your blog is truly a blessing.
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