Ponderings

So the other night in church, someone mentioned how much they had learned in the last year. I got to thinking, and I haven't made any startling revelations, but God has shown me some things, and I've learned some hard (and some funny) life lessons in the last year or so. I'll share some:

Serious:

Bitterness is not worth it. You have to forgive, no matter how bad it hurts, no matter who hurt, even if they haven't asked your forgiveness. It's the only way you can have God's love in your heart and show it to others. It's the only way you can be at peace with yourself, let alone others and God.

Live your life to have no regrets. If you have regrets, you have to move on. Ask yourself: Is there anything I can do to change the situation or make things right? If so, do it. If not, you have to stop beating yourself up and let go. If you are too focused on mistakes of the past, you cannot have a successful future.

Searching the scriptures daily helps you with every aspect of your life.

Life goes really fast, even when you need to stop and grieve. Sometimes you have to make time to stop and be close to your family.

Fear is a lack of trust.

A clean house isn't all-important, but it sure gives you a little more peace of mind.

You have to let kids be kids. Some grow up faster than other. Let it be.

Kids only need one set of parents. God designed it this way for a reason. You can help out be babysitting or whatever, but don't try to take over or be the boss, even if you don't agree with the parents parenting style.

Buying a house and moving is hard, but not near as stressful as I thought it would be.

Medium:

If you hang your clothes up as soon as the come out of the dryer, they usually don't have to be ironed.

Routines really do work after all.

Light:

I am not smarter than a fifth grader. (But neither is Tony, so it's ok.)

Nineteen year olds can get childhood diseases.

On that same note, the chicken pox doesn't itch near as bad a poison ivy. (At least for me - I can be in the same state as poison ivy and get it. Last time it was so bad my throat swelled almost shut and I could hardly breathe.)

When you're running late, there WILL be a train and a funeral procession.

Don't try to carry bulky, lightweight items with removable parts outside when the wind is blowing hard. Those removable parts will remove themselves, without your permission.

Always check for big piles of fire ants BEFORE you pitch your tent.

Crickets bite.