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August 15, 2016
Over this summer I was graced with learning a lot of "little life lessons". And I learned each and every one of them from messing up and making mistakes. I think mistakes are beautiful for this reason. I make a whole bunch of mistakes and mess up quite often. I'm learning to embrace the mistake and learn the lesson. My summer was exciting, adventurous, wonderful, full of love, and joyous. It was also very busy, challenging, frustrating, humbling, and tested my patience. Through this, I've learned how important embracing, recognizing, and sharing my mistakes are. But even more so, I have realized how important the lessons I have learned should be shared.
Here are a few of the wonderful little lessons I learned this summer --
1. Find joy in loving people. I love being around people, talking to people, & hearing their stories. Sometimes I feel the burden of constantly trying to be joyful, instead of seeing the beauty in loving others. Romans 12:8- "If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
2. People are watching you and looking up to you. Set a good example. Live joyfully.
3. Enjoy what you eat. Don't look upon your body in a negative way. Negative thoughts are the enemy. Don't wish for someone else's life or body. Look at yourself as unique and original. Proverbs 23:7- "As a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes."
4.. Don't depend on others for happiness. Although sometimes this goes without saying, I often need the simple reminder that my friends and family do not always have the perfect answer. I was taught that I need to make decisions for myself, because I know myself better then anyone else does. I was also shown that God has the answer I am searching for and that I need to look to Him first.
5. Social media can bring you down. Don't look to it for approval. If it stresses you out toss it out for a bit. You can't let others define your life. Be happy with you :)
6. Be a bible-bearing Christian vs a bible-beating Christian. Self explanatory, but convicting and powerful. Share God's love. Don't beat down others for not.
7. Fake it till you make it. Smiling even when you are upset actually makes you a little less upset. Try it :) Force the smile, and you'll notice your heart becoming a little softer and quite a bit less angry
8. Stop thinking too much. I think about the past, present, and future way too often. It's alright to not know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it. Timing is apart of everything, and God's timing is far more perfect than ours.
4.. Don't depend on others for happiness. Although sometimes this goes without saying, I often need the simple reminder that my friends and family do not always have the perfect answer. I was taught that I need to make decisions for myself, because I know myself better then anyone else does. I was also shown that God has the answer I am searching for and that I need to look to Him first.
5. Social media can bring you down. Don't look to it for approval. If it stresses you out toss it out for a bit. You can't let others define your life. Be happy with you :)
6. Be a bible-bearing Christian vs a bible-beating Christian. Self explanatory, but convicting and powerful. Share God's love. Don't beat down others for not.
7. Fake it till you make it. Smiling even when you are upset actually makes you a little less upset. Try it :) Force the smile, and you'll notice your heart becoming a little softer and quite a bit less angry
8. Stop thinking too much. I think about the past, present, and future way too often. It's alright to not know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it. Timing is apart of everything, and God's timing is far more perfect than ours.
9. How other people judge us is none of our business. What others may say or think of you is a reflection of them, and most likely has very little to do with you. Wonderful little truth to live by :)
10. Plans are for adjusting. Usually nothing turns out how I have planned, and I usually let it get to me. I've learned instead to ask for patience, and God will give you the people, opportunities, and circumstances to help you learn and grow in that way.
11. Be goofy. Be silly. Go out of your comfort zone. Show others how it's okay when you make a fool of yourself or say something really stupid. I embarrass myself ALL the time. But then I always have something to look back on and laugh at myself for :) "Be honest, be silly, be kind."
10. Plans are for adjusting. Usually nothing turns out how I have planned, and I usually let it get to me. I've learned instead to ask for patience, and God will give you the people, opportunities, and circumstances to help you learn and grow in that way.
11. Be goofy. Be silly. Go out of your comfort zone. Show others how it's okay when you make a fool of yourself or say something really stupid. I embarrass myself ALL the time. But then I always have something to look back on and laugh at myself for :) "Be honest, be silly, be kind."
If I didn't make mistakes, I wouldn't have learned any of the above lessons. Thank God I messed up. I couldn't be more thankful for grace in failure. I love writing down lessons I believe I've learned- not only in hopes that I don't have to learn the lessons again- but also to look back and see the ways I have grown through my mistakes. Trust me though, I have not come close to grasping these different lessons and am continuing to be taught more each and every day. I can't wait to see what this next season of life will teach me.
-- peace and love,
Lauren :)
-- peace and love,
Lauren :)
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