Lesson Learned from 2019 (pt 3 and final)

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14. Just because you read it in a book or hear it from a professional or spiritual leader doesn’t mean it is what is best or that it is even right. 15. God never changes. I have read many times , from Scripture, that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But in this last year, I have come to realize that how He works is dictated by His character and who He is. He is not swayed by man’s interpretations. 16. The phrase “beauty from ashes “ is a reality. I watched my Angel Face blossom into a more beautiful young woman with the most beautiful, inspiring faith through her greatest pain- the loss of her baby girl ( Ivey Nicole). I see her husband, a man many were skeptical was mature enough to be a good husband, emerge as her protector , healer, and rock even through his grief. 17. True friendships can’t help but blossom. Fake or fair weather friends can’t help but be exposed. Through this years ups and downs, my friend Carolyn has proven to be the real deal. She has always come through for us, but when you have one who is there, who is honest, who prays for and with you- then you have the only friend you need. The pain of realizing some were never really friends is diminished. 18. I finally learned what it means to be in the world but not of it. Christians were never meant to be unreachable, unapproachable, or impersonal. We were never meant to hide behind our church walls, Sunday school sayings, and Christianese communications. 19. The greatest adventure is the determination to truly know God and understand his character. 20. The greatest freedom is embracing who God creates us to be. Christians have a bad habit of lumping everyone into their categorical boxes and we miss out on so much of the power, beauty, and uniqueness God created in us. 21. We don’t begin to live life to the fullest until we relax and let God be God. Yes I still have questions. Yes, in the future, I will be begging Him for explanations and answers. Knowing me, that future will be tomorrow. Yes, I am sure I will be trying to micromanage something for Him and He will have to remind me that He doesn’t need my help. But after I struggle a bit, I will simply choose to trust and pray. I have learned that out of my struggles with my Heavenly Father, I come to know Him better and the praise is sweeter, the service is more joyful, and the surrender is liberating. There have been other lessons, but these are the ones I chose to share. As 2020 rolls around, I will turn 51. The natural me would be dreading getting older. I am losing my identity as mama( the one that has sustained me). Life is changing . There are many sad and hard moments. But as I let God transform my mind, getting older does not seem like the end but the chance to write sequels to the story and those who know me, know that I love to write stories. Happy New Year. I am so excited to see what God has in store.