22 Things I've Learned in 22 Years

Today is my birthday. I'm celebrating by taking the day off work, eating breakfast with an old friend, perusing antique shops and going to a job interview. Yay, responsible adulthood....

[it's a .22. you know, because i'm turning 22...oh, never mind.]

Anyways, I started thinking about how long 22 years really is, and all the things that have happened in that time. I would say that my life has been not quite exciting, but interesting enough. I realized that I have learned a good number of things over the years.

1. God is faithful.
 
I say it time and time again. He holds my heart. He is with me in my hardest times. He has never forsaken me.

2. People fail you.
 
To be blunt, people are stupid. I'm just gonna throw that out there. Some days, it's really hard to keep a good attitude, and it's hard to avoid cynicism. But then I think of the people close to me, and I forget about the others.

3. Hold on tightly to your family and friends.

See #2. I'm spoiled; really, I am. I have two married parents, three doting grandparents, 3 loyal brothers, a hilarious sister-in-law, some pretty awesome aunts and uncles and several very cool cousins. I also have an amazing brain-sister, along with a horde of friends who are hilarious and also challenge me in my walk with God.

 [she's the Watson to my Sherlock, the Elphaba to my Glinda, the Jane to my Lizzie, the Sam to my Frodo, the Elsa to my Anna, the Diana to my Anne, the Kili to my Fili, the Loki to my Thor...]

[the secret circus. which is an inside joke. we four have spent half our lives together.]

4. You learn most by shutting up and observing.

*sigh* It would be great if I could remember this more often. As it is, I need this duct-taped to my forehead, because it is SO TRUE.

5. Pets are God's gift to humans.

If you have never had a pet, you might not understand this. I had one dog for half of my life. Makita was my happiness. When I knew I was about to cry, I went to talk to her. I could tell her anything, and she didn't care. She just continued to grin and motion to the tennis ball at my feet. Sometimes, a ball of fur is the best therapy a person can have.

 
6. Keep singing, no matter what.

I really believe music comes from your heart. And sometimes things squeeze your heart so badly that you can't and don't want to sing anymore. But then I think you have to find a little bit different reason to sing. For me, Jesus is usually that reason. 

7. Driving is overrated.

Because your parents want you to chauffeur them everywhere. And then there's things like after-market rims that are made of magnesium that can't be welded when they CRACK.

8. Don't be too quick to judge people.

Another thing that hasn't made it completely through my thick head. I have a very bad habit of criticizing people without knowing the full story, and I'm usually so wrong every single time.

9. People believe what you do, not what you say.

I have observed this, you know? Perhaps I saw more of this because I grew up in the shadow of a steeple, but I wouldn't say that all church people are phonies. I've met several people in the workforce who put on good shows, too. All the more reminder to me to stop mouthing off what I believe and actually act on it.

10. God's Word really has the answers to everything.

The older I become, the less this feels like a cliche. I love Proverbs because of its practical wisdom, but sometimes my answers have come from random places, like Ezekiel or 1 Chronicles. He never ceases to surprise me. 

 Credit

11. Time changes your perspective.

Sometimes, I think I would pay money to go back to a world where I was 10 and oblivious. There are some lessons nobody wants to learn, at least not from personal experience.

12. Fictional characters can show your own faults in an uncanny way.

Again, if you aren't a reader, you might not get this. This is my main argument with my mom. The point of fiction is lessons, examples, role models, moral reference points.... It's really hard to describe the feeling of reading about a person's thoughts and actions and realizing they mirror those of your own. I'm experiencing this again reading through Emma.

13. The harder you work for something, the more you appreciate it.

I learned this through 8 years of 4-H and crying over fair week. I hated learning to sew. But now I'm glad I know to read a pattern and use the machine. I hate ripping out rows of crocheted shells. But I own a pretty flippin' sweet lace lampshade. 

14. NEVER USE CASH ADVANCE.

I have no words for this. Because having words for this means admitting that I was stupid enough to think Walmart gives you your credit card rewards.

15. Flirting never works.

I may be unqualified to say this, because the only guy who ever flirted with me was the weirdo from summer school algebra class who followed my friend and me around the local vintage car show. Very, very attractive. But, still, I am convinced that being cute and coy is how you attract boyfriends, not husbands.

16. Weddings are beautiful, but a strong marriage is gorgeous.

I am obsessed with weddings. I love to pick colors, listen to love songs, match bridesmaid dresses and study bridal gowns. I have a whole Pinterest board devoted to modest wedding gowns. (Isn't Pinterest wonderful for feeding obsessions?!) But when the confetti is gone, and the cake is all eaten, you have to know how to live with someone for the rest of your life. So which one should I be more obsessed with building? It's something I've thought a lot about the past couple of years.

17. Wait for the right guy to show up.

I hate this. It's hard for me. There aren't very many guys in my circles that share the same interests as I do. Most of them just want a girl who spends 2 hours every day curling her hair and poofing it to kingdom come. HAH. Plus, I live in the same town as a Bible college, so then we have the ones who are so spiritually-minded they would not lower themselves to such things as reading fiction. HA. HA. HA. So, I sit tight, and whine a bit, and pout a bit. Then I kick myself and ask God to make me the wife that my husband is looking for.

18. People watch you. Mostly kids.

I never really got this until the last year or so. I spent a semester teaching a Sunday School class for 6-8-year-olds, and, wow, are they quick. I'm also becoming aware of how much more convincing your actions are than your words. See #9.

19. Shoes do wonders for morale.

Praise the Lord for wedge flipflops. And polka dot heels.

20. You really truly learn something new every day.

Again, this is less cliched the older I get. I notice more and more how often I find a little bit of trivia. And then the more I get out on my own, the more I realize how little I actually know. WHICH IS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY PARALYZINGLY FRIGHTENING.

21. I will never have it all figured out.

See #20. Every time I think I have something down-pat, part of it changes. I am convinced I will always be about 3 1/2 steps behind my peers. And some days, it's 6 steps.

22. God is faithful.

I have to include this twice. Because it's so much more true than anything else I could ever grasp in this life. No matter what happens to me, God never changes, and His Word has never lied. There are no words to express the peace that gives me.

 in this time of trial
pain that no one sees
trust Me when I say
that I will give you perfect peace
and you'll never walk alone
and you'll never be in need
though I may not calm the storms around you
you can hide in Me