Some things I have learned....

-Not everyone is supposed to be my best friend. And after thinking about it, I really do not want everyone to be my best friend. ;-) I have close friends and as my friend Kara says, there can even be a limit on those at times. Does that make mean? No. Does that mean if you walk up to me that I will not be your friend? No. It just means I am learning I have to be careful. People will stab you in the back so quickly. I would rather take the time and find out how trustworthy they are before sharing my entire life with them.

-Just because someone is a Christian doesn't mean we are going to be friends. We are united in the thought that Christ is the only way to Heaven, but we are more than likely not united on everything else. We vary differently in schooling, how we raise our children, how we act in our marriages, etc. And that is ok. Does that mean I do not like you because we differ? Nope. Does that mean I am judging you? Again, nope. I may choose not to hang out with you for different personal reasons but still that's ok. That doesn't mean I do not like you. Overall, I must protect my family. If being your friend puts my family (life) at risk, well, I will let go of that friendship. It's not being mean;it's being the wife and mom that the Lord has called me to be. BUT just because we differ does not give me the right to discuss those differences with anyone. It's my responsibility to be mature enough to let it go and understand and accept the Lord made us all differently.

-I share way too much. (and you are all wondering why I am sharing this on my blog, aren't you? LOL Remember, it's for my kids!) I need to be spending more time on my knee's and sharing with God instead of random people. Why does their advice matter to me so much when God so perfectly lays it all out in the Bible? I am not against getting good, Godly advice. That is so needed. But I have the problem of taking it to everyone else first, then God. It should be God first. Then if I still need to hash things out, I need to talk to Eric. If it's too girly for him, then I need to share it with my 3 most trusted friends in the world. (Shout out to S., C., and K. and there is a J. that is slowly creeping in there also) But of course, my mom, stepmom and sister will hear it all first! They come before the friends. Cuz they have to listen.

-I am blessed to have 3 friends that I can trust with anything. (see shout out above) I mean anything. They will all have different ways of listening and all different ways of responding, but that is why I truly value what they will say. And do you know why else they are so trustworthy? They never speak an ill word about anyone. Seriously. If something is said, it's something they would say to their face and it would be spoken in love. These women are my role models and I value their friendship so much. Of course, they would laugh at the role model statement but it's true! And just because you were not in my shout out, does not mean you are not a good friend of mine. So please, no comments on that.

-My issues are my issues. They are not anyone else's. But unfortuanantly, sometimes people will also suffer the consequences of my issues. My anger issue? My kids and hubby face the consequences of it. My gossiping issue? My friends that I have spoken ugly about face it. Is that fair? No. So today I need to stop. I need to take the responsibility and keep it with me. For more on this, read this wonderful woman's blog.

-I like my life. It's pretty fun. No matter that Eric thinks that my adventerous spirit means I am discontent, I still like it. ;-) I love to go! I love new places, meeting people that live there. That is the most fun thing to me. But if I can't do that because I need to be responsible and pay our car off first, then by golly that's what I am going to do. I may pout at first, but I will put my big girl panties on along with a smile on my face and deal with it. I am learning that true contentment comes from within.

-I choose joy. I can choose to be joyful or I can choose to be um...not joyful. Life is going to throw you curveballs, fastballs, and so many other types that it's crazy. How I react to those situations is up to me. My joy is supposed to be in the Lord. So why do I carry a load on my shoulders and a frown/scowl on my lips so much? It's not someone elses fault if I choose to act ugly. It's mine. So no more fun ruiner on vacation! My kids will be thrilled!

-I need to spend my time with my family. Why do I choose a friend activity over family? My grandmothers will not live forever. Neither will my great aunt and uncle. I have family that I have never met. I need to take the chance and go meet them.

-I am blessed. So truly blessed. I have a great husband, 4 wonderful beautiful children, 2 great dogs, 24 healthy chickens, a great extended family, great friends, a roof over my head, and a car. And the best thing? I have My Lord. He is My Rock, My Savior, The Alpha & Omega, My Cornerstone, the Great I Am. Without Him, I am nothing. May I enjoy all that I am blessed with and see it for what it is.


*And if you read all this, wow! You must have been bored. ;-)