I recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of my 18th birthday. To some people this may not be such a big occurrence but for me...well, I became an adult at 18, I married at 18, I moved away from home at 18. So this was a HUGE anniversary for me :)
I was on a youth trip in Florida the day I turned 18. My dad gave me a pink ice ring and matching pink ice bracelet. I still own them. I was dating Mark and he was on the trip as well. My sisters and mom were there...and about 20 of our closest "friends" meaning youth and youth sponsors. I have fond memories of that trip. I wore a white dress to dinner (which I also wore to my church wedding shower). I was very very tan and very very skinny.
But over the last 20 years much more than my dress size has changed. Here are a few things I've learned since June 18, 1993...
1. I should have been waxing my eyebrows all along.
2. A size 2/4 is overrated and weighing more than 115 pounds is not the end of the world.
3. I "owned" my mother's generation's obsession with weight much more than I thought I did...and unfortunately I've sold those twisted mindsets to my daughters. I greatly regret that.
4. It's never too late to rewire my ideas AND my daughter's ideas of what beautiful really is...and I'm actively doing that.
5. Singing isn't the only thing I'm good at doing.
6. Talent is everywhere...anointing is not.
7. I'm very unique and I truly love and embrace that fact.
8. I'd rather be respected than liked.
9. I don't ever wan to be a regret in some one's life. I want people to always be glad they knew me no matter how brief our "relationship".
10. I'd rather help someone than flatter them.
11. I know how to be quiet...mostly.
12. I know when to speak up...always.
13. Taking care of my feet, nails, skin, and hair is really really important.
14. Gray hair is frustrating.
15. I don't wear make-up to the gym or the pool/beach (on purpose). That's dumb.
16. Depressed people don't have crow's feet. I got those from laughing so they're not so bad.
17. The stretch marks on my stomach are from a very good season in my life. The ones on my hips? Well, they just make me mad so I tan them.
18. My boyfriend became my husband and he is amazing.
19. Walking through hell with someone will pull you together or pull you apart. Either way, it's your choice.
20. God created our bodies, but He also created plastic surgeons, so...
21. I'm no longer intimidated that I only have 11 hours of college. I'm a learner. I'm intelligent, articulate, I'm very proud of my accomplishments even if I found them on the road less traveled.
22. I will greatly encourage my girls to go to college.
23. I will greatly encourage my girls (and anyone else) NOT to marry at 18.
24. If I had it to do over again, I'd still marry at 18. Difficult and regret are not the same things. It was difficult...but I have NO regrets.
25. Some of the things I've walked through would've taken down a lesser woman.
26. I am strong. My faith is strong. My family is strong.
27. Devouring the Word of God is where our strength comes from.
28. Resting is much more profitable than controlling.
29. Laughing is my favorite. :)
30. I don't know everything and sometimes my pinions are so off base that it's embarrassing.
31. I can finally admit I don't know everything.
32. Yelling at your loved ones is never OK...unless you're yelling "I love you!!!"
33. Age 40 is not a finish line. It's a brand new door and I can't wait!
34. Written goals are so important.
35. Life without a passionate purpose is no life at all.
36. Gossips, negative people and lazy/entitled people are my least favorite people on earth.
37. If you get hurt, you may not be able to fix it alone. Go talk to someone. That doesn't mean you're weak.
38. A clean house and a clean car really do bring me peace.
40. I CAN cook. I just prefer to go out to eat.
41. Integrity cannot be overemphasized.
42. The importance of time alone with my husband cannot be overemphasized.
43. The importance of family vacations cannot be overemphasized.
44. Only my relationship with God, His Son, His Word, and the Holy Spirit can bring me true fulfillment.
45. I'm not fake.
46. I see my flaws but I really do love who I've become and who I am becoming.
47. My daughters need me to love myself. So does my husband.
48. I love people. I love the ministry. I love the Holy Spirit. I love Israel.
49. Writing and teaching are just as fulfilling to me now as singing has always been.
50. I now have the right motives for wanting to be extremely wealthy...and I assure you, I plan on being extremely wealthy and I know what I need to do with it.
