I remarried when I was 25, and I dreamed of having all of my debt paid off within 10 years, and finding a way to finish my degree. By the time I turned 30, I had paid off my credit cards, established a career as a certified legal secretary, and had my sights set on becoming a certified paralegal. And of course, I still wanted that degree. At 33, I passed the Professional Paralegal exam, and you know what? College classes can be applied to my continuing legal education requirements, so I still held out hope of completing my degree.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to complete 40 things on my bucket list before I turned 40, and you guessed it - a bachelors degree was on the list. Last year, I decided to try to lose 40 pounds by the time I turned 40. And I checked to see how many credits I'd need for an associates degree.
So,
I turn 40 this week. As I reflect on the goals I wanted to reach by
this age, I have to laugh at myself. Lose 40 pounds in a year? Well... cupcakes! Get a
college degree? Must've dreamed I had some spare time and money, ha ha! A
professor? Really? (As it turns out, I sometimes get to teach attorneys and
paralegals, and I really enjoy it.)
I still don't have a college degree, but the burning desire to obtain that goal has subsided. I have a rewarding career, I've obtained professional certification, and I've found fulfillment in a great job that I love. I don't need a piece of paper to know that I'm intelligent, I'm talented, and I'm wise beyond my years in matters of faith. Life has taught me so much more in my 40 years than I could have learned through formal education. My life experiences have shaped me and made me who I am. I'm not sure that I would change any of it...
I've suffered the heartbreak of divorce. But through that marriage and its failure, I learned to appreciate the dependable Christian man that came along and became my husband and "Daddy" to my little girl. I've beaten the odds on my second marriage for 14 years (and counting!), and I have the lessons learned in my first marriage to thank!
I spent two and a half years as a single parent struggling to make ends meet. However, I never filed bankruptcy, despite being told by a credit counselor that bankruptcy was my only option. I paid off all my credit cards, after years of living on a shoestring budget. Through this tough experience, I learned that we sometimes live out consequences that aren't necessary caused by ourselves. Sometimes, it's a joint decision or the decision of someone else that puts us into a difficult situation. But being angry about it, dwelling on it, and worrying aren't going to change a single thing. The best thing to do is get up every day, and do my best. God will take care of the rest!
I've watched with worry and heartache as my daughter battles medical issues with the strength and tenacity of a bulldog. But we know that God is in control. We've met some incredible friends along the way, and we've both learned that when life gives you lemons, it truly is best to make lemonade! Feeling sorry for yourself doesn't get you anywhere. Oh, and life isn't fair!
I watched my Daddy battle dementia and COPD and literally struggle for his last breath. Through this extremely difficult experience, I begged God for peace, and I learned that He will never leave me, and He'll give me peace and comfort whenever I ask. God truly carried me through that dark time, and I look back on it now and fondly remember the solace I found in Him.
In addition to my Daddy, I've buried all of my grandparents, one first cousin, and many other beloved extended family and friends. There is nothing more sad and sobering than losing a loved one, especially one in my own generation. But each person has left a legacy of love for which I am so thankful, and I've found that to love is to grieve. While death is sad because we lose the earthly presence of our loved ones, the hope of heaven is such a sweet promise!
I've learned to trust God with the details. When Brad wanted to go full time with his pool business, we only needed five more weekly services to make it work. We prayed and asked God that if it was His will, to send us the business we needed. Within a week, we had gained exactly five new customers. The day my Daddy was buried, the weather forecast called for rain, and I prayed for it to pass or hold off until after the funeral, and I asked others to pray. The first rain drop fell on our windshield as Brad and I were leaving the cemetery after the funeral. I have learned that God cares about the little things!
I've held the paws and patted the heads of four beloved pets as they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. These pets taught me about unconditional love, and that it is a comfort to the soul having someone in your life that is always happy to see you.
I paid off a car and drove it for almost three years without a payment. (That's one box checked on my bucket list!) It sure was tough to take out a new auto loan after being used to driving a car that was MINE. I love that feeling of accomplishment, and I look forward to experiencing it again!
I began working full time when I was 20 years old, and out of the last 20 years, I've only been unemployed for six weeks. I had the fantastic example of my parents to follow, who both had great work ethic. I've learned that if you're kind and polite, eager to learn, willing to be a team player, and work hard, you will always be able to find work.
I've learned that life is not meant to be fun or easy; life is a series of problems until we pass away. I've discovered that the joy is in the journey! It's not about getting through the valley, it's about who is walking with me and what I'm learning as I go through it. It's not about what I've accomplished in this life; it's about what I have to look forward to in heaven. It's not about a bunch of boxes that I've checked off on my bucket list; it's about growing closer to God and surviving this world with my faith intact, and leaving a legacy that shows others the way to the cross. It's about being true to myself and what I believe. It's about looking back at where I've been and realizing that I've overcome so much adversity, and I'm still smiling. I'm. Still. Smiling!
I still don't have a college degree, but the burning desire to obtain that goal has subsided. I have a rewarding career, I've obtained professional certification, and I've found fulfillment in a great job that I love. I don't need a piece of paper to know that I'm intelligent, I'm talented, and I'm wise beyond my years in matters of faith. Life has taught me so much more in my 40 years than I could have learned through formal education. My life experiences have shaped me and made me who I am. I'm not sure that I would change any of it...
I've suffered the heartbreak of divorce. But through that marriage and its failure, I learned to appreciate the dependable Christian man that came along and became my husband and "Daddy" to my little girl. I've beaten the odds on my second marriage for 14 years (and counting!), and I have the lessons learned in my first marriage to thank!
I spent two and a half years as a single parent struggling to make ends meet. However, I never filed bankruptcy, despite being told by a credit counselor that bankruptcy was my only option. I paid off all my credit cards, after years of living on a shoestring budget. Through this tough experience, I learned that we sometimes live out consequences that aren't necessary caused by ourselves. Sometimes, it's a joint decision or the decision of someone else that puts us into a difficult situation. But being angry about it, dwelling on it, and worrying aren't going to change a single thing. The best thing to do is get up every day, and do my best. God will take care of the rest!
I've watched with worry and heartache as my daughter battles medical issues with the strength and tenacity of a bulldog. But we know that God is in control. We've met some incredible friends along the way, and we've both learned that when life gives you lemons, it truly is best to make lemonade! Feeling sorry for yourself doesn't get you anywhere. Oh, and life isn't fair!
I watched my Daddy battle dementia and COPD and literally struggle for his last breath. Through this extremely difficult experience, I begged God for peace, and I learned that He will never leave me, and He'll give me peace and comfort whenever I ask. God truly carried me through that dark time, and I look back on it now and fondly remember the solace I found in Him.
In addition to my Daddy, I've buried all of my grandparents, one first cousin, and many other beloved extended family and friends. There is nothing more sad and sobering than losing a loved one, especially one in my own generation. But each person has left a legacy of love for which I am so thankful, and I've found that to love is to grieve. While death is sad because we lose the earthly presence of our loved ones, the hope of heaven is such a sweet promise!
I've learned to trust God with the details. When Brad wanted to go full time with his pool business, we only needed five more weekly services to make it work. We prayed and asked God that if it was His will, to send us the business we needed. Within a week, we had gained exactly five new customers. The day my Daddy was buried, the weather forecast called for rain, and I prayed for it to pass or hold off until after the funeral, and I asked others to pray. The first rain drop fell on our windshield as Brad and I were leaving the cemetery after the funeral. I have learned that God cares about the little things!
I've held the paws and patted the heads of four beloved pets as they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. These pets taught me about unconditional love, and that it is a comfort to the soul having someone in your life that is always happy to see you.
I paid off a car and drove it for almost three years without a payment. (That's one box checked on my bucket list!) It sure was tough to take out a new auto loan after being used to driving a car that was MINE. I love that feeling of accomplishment, and I look forward to experiencing it again!
I began working full time when I was 20 years old, and out of the last 20 years, I've only been unemployed for six weeks. I had the fantastic example of my parents to follow, who both had great work ethic. I've learned that if you're kind and polite, eager to learn, willing to be a team player, and work hard, you will always be able to find work.
I've learned that life is not meant to be fun or easy; life is a series of problems until we pass away. I've discovered that the joy is in the journey! It's not about getting through the valley, it's about who is walking with me and what I'm learning as I go through it. It's not about what I've accomplished in this life; it's about what I have to look forward to in heaven. It's not about a bunch of boxes that I've checked off on my bucket list; it's about growing closer to God and surviving this world with my faith intact, and leaving a legacy that shows others the way to the cross. It's about being true to myself and what I believe. It's about looking back at where I've been and realizing that I've overcome so much adversity, and I'm still smiling. I'm. Still. Smiling!
No,
I haven't lost those 40 pounds. I haven't earned a college degree. I'm really just
getting started on my bucket list. And I may (or may not!) have a few wrinkles on my face and lots of gray in my hair. But I have God, an amazing husband, a wonderful daughter, great family and friends, and a fantastic job, and I'm content with my life exactly the way
it is. And that, my friends, makes 40 the best yet!
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
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