40 lessons in 40 years

It was my birthday in August, which is always a great time to take a few minutes and reflect on how God has changed my heart and taught me lessons over the years. I believe it’s super important to listen and allow God to change our hearts to be more like His.

We celebrated my birthday at a local hotel and swam Thursday night and Saturday morning.

The hotel also had a restaurant so we were able to eat there for supper and breakfast! I know, fancy, right?! We did hair braiding and watched tv!

Jenna and Raegan made some decorations for the hotel room, so we placed the toilet paper tube jellyfish around the room.

Jenna chose to follow Jesus this summer and we were all extremely excited for her. One Monday she said she wanted to be a Christian and have her name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. After talking to her that night, she understood what it meant, so she prayed to ask for forgiveness for her sin and follow Jesus! I am so glad!

Now, my prayer is she chooses to follow Jesus all the days of her life and she allows Him to lead her and live for Him.

We love summer rains and playing in the puddles is one of the best experiences in life!

Mission Friends at church has kicked off again and I really enjoy teaching the older preschool about the missionaries near us and all over the world who tell people about Jesus.

The older I get, the more I realize how broken the world is and we are. I am so grateful that God is so kind, He understands our brokenness, and is so powerful, He rescues us from this brokenness! I have complied a new list of stuff I have learned. Some of them I am still working on!

1. Choose Jesus time first thing in the morning, even if it’s five minutes.

2. Busyness is not a virtue.

3. People don’t want to be impressed, they want to be loved.

4. Own my clothes, car, and home - I don’t need to impress anyone.

5. Choose gratitude. It changes moods.

6. Love children enough to correct them. Don’t let them get away with stuff because gentler parenting is a thing. Love them in the correction. Teach them.

7. Stay humble and let God promote you.

8. Run the dishwasher each night. Clean the dishwasher each morning. Fill the dishwasher after each meal during the day. Keep dirty dishes out of sight.

9. If social media is draining, stay away.

10. Not everyone is living the life you think they are. Everyone has struggles.

11. Get to church even when it is hard, even when it gets chaotic.

12. Kids don’t have to do every activity under the sun to keep up with everyone else. Watching clouds and chasing bugs is important.

13. Follow you heart is a lie. It sounds nice, but God says the heart is deceitful above all things. Follow the guidance of God.

14. Boring days are often what the best memories are made of.

15. Give people the benefit of the doubt - in traffic, in stores, at church, everywhere. It feels better to let go of annoyance.

16. Check your motivation before addressing someone about something. If it is to truly to encourage and make a relationship better, go for it. If it is too complain or vent, wait until the motivation is to help not hurt.

17. Keep your plans between you and God. You don’t need to broadcast your intentions.

18. Graciously accept a compliment. Don’t blow it off or degrade yourself, but humbly say thank you.

19. It doesn’t matter how your hair looks, people care you were in the picture. Get in the pictures!

20. Wake up earlier than the rest of the house and spend a moment in quiet with God.

21. Write down what you need to accomplish the next day before bed and quiet your mind. Let that piece of paper hold the list instead of striving to remember it in your head.

22. Get excited for thunderstorms.

23. Modesty is important - things that are worth having must be uncovered and earned, like a pearl.

24. By trying to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one. The only One worth pleasing is God.

25. You are who your friends are. Choose wisely how

26. Be on time. It costs nothing and sets up a good reputation.

27. If you say you will be there, show up.

28. Pick up your trash and dishes at restaurants - someone’s mom or dad and son or daughter works there.

29. Ask people about themselves.

30. Start Christmas shopping early. Create a list and budget and stick to it.

31. Christmas gifts or birthday gifts don’t have to cost a lot of money.

32. Value peoples’ efforts not just their money.

33. Communicate expectations to avoid conflicts. This applies to friends, kids, coworkers, and spouses.

34. Even if it doesn’t make senes to them yet, remind preteens and teens that what seems super important today, won’t be so important in ten years.

35. Speak the truth in love.

36. Don’t just tell people what they want to hear - it might sounds kind, but it’s actually really harmful and you’ll be known as a liar. Tell them the truth with encouragement to back it up.

37. There is aways hope in life because of Jesus.

38. The price of fame isn’t worth it.

39. Mind your own business and if it doesn’t affect you, it’s probably best to stay out of it.

40. Find Jesus in the ordinary - days, meals, chores, routine. He is there.

I realize I could keep going, but I will stop here! Enjoy your day and know God knows exactly what your needs are! He will provide the peace you need!

Love,

Charis

Pic(k) of the week:

I don't think this needs a caption :) Just funny!