12/31/2012
Lesson #366: Things I learned in 2012.
At the beginning of this year, one of my resolutions was to write down at least one thing I learned every day. I wish I could say that I’ve acquired a great deal of knowledge and became this incredibly wise person in doing so, but that would simply be untrue. The more I learned, the more I realized just how little I know, and just how much I still have yet to learn. Nonetheless, it was definitely an eye-opening experience and I hope that in sharing these lessons I’ve helped a few along the way.
Here’s a complete list the things I learned in 2012: 366 Lessons
(Some are on private because they were too personal to share.)
Happy New Year! :)
12/26/2012
Lesson #361: “God will show you the path, but you still have to walk.”
Don’t ask Him to guide your steps if you’re not willing to move your feet.
12/09/2012
Lesson #344: “Be thankful for what you have, and you will end up having more. But if you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey
12/03/2012
Lesson #338: Faith.
“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” (Hebrews 11:1 NCV)
11/30/2012
Lesson #335: ”Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MSG)
11/24/2012
Lesson #329: “Watching what you say can save you a lot of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23)
11/21/2012
Lesson #326: Beauty.
“For attractive lips, speak word of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.”
-Audrey Hepburn
11/18/2012
Lesson #323: Contentment.
“I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (Philippians 4:12-13 MSG)
11/14/2012
Lesson #319: Prayer.
Don’t get frustrated when it feels like your prayers aren’t being answered. Remember that the answers to your prayers aren’t always served to you on a silver platter. If you ask for strength, instead, you might be given an opportunity to demonstrate how strong you can be. When you ask for more faith, instead, you could be presented with a challenge that will push your faith beyond the limits you thought you had.
Be thankful regardless of whether or not it was what you were asking for. An answer is an answer, uniquely tailored to your needs and your situation—designed to aid you in exactly the way you need it to, precisely when you need it to. Even if you can’t see it right now.
07/26/2012-08/07/2012
Lessons #208-216: If it seems like God isn’t answering your prayers, it’s not because He’s not listening to you.
It’s probably because you’re not listening to Him.
07/23/2012-07/25/2012
Lessons #205-207: Band-aids don’t heal your wounds.
They’re a temporary fix. They make you feel better for now. But the underlying wounds are still there, and won’t heal until your body is ready.
In the same sense, temporary fixes for your problems won’t solve them. Ignoring them and acting like everything is okay may help you feel better for now. But the underlying issues at hand haven’t been resolved yet, and they won’t be until you’re ready to resolve them yourself. You can’t heal until you allow yourself to.
07/19/2012-07/22/2012
Lessons #201-204: Strengthened, inspired, and humbled.
God will never disappoint a broken, contrite, and sincere heart.
07/11/2012-07/18/2012
Lessons #193-200: There’s a fine line between being selfless and letting people walk all over you.
It’s important to remember to take care of yourself, and to prioritize your needs. Your feelings are important too. Don’t be so caught up in making sure everyone else is happy that you end up hurting yourself. It’s okay to be a little selfish every now and then. Remember that you deserve to be happy too.
07/10/2012
Lesson #192: Shallow roots.
You won’t be successful in anything that you pursue in which your intentions and motivations are rooted in something shallow (vanity, pride, greed, lust, etc.) If your heart isn’t in the right place, your brain and your decisions won’t be either.
07/05/2012-07/09/2012
Lessons #187-191: The “worst” is never the worst.
“God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst.”
(Lamentations 3:25-30, The Message Translation)
