Forget About IT.

Philippians 3:12-21 Message version


"I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.


Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.


But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."






I find that the times we all want to give up or sit out is the moment things are about to change for our benefit. The hardest miles on a run are the first miles, when your body is getting used to the "torture" and the mile before you can see the finish line. BUT, once you set your eyes on the finish line, you forget the pain, you forget the previous miles, and you find yourself captivated by the finish line. But until you see the finish line, you question turning around or sitting out.


Many of us fear the "in between." The distance between the starting point and the finish line. We are comfortable at the starting line because it is familiar. We love the finish line because we feel satisfaction in completing the race. But what will happen "in between?"


"THERE'S FAR MORE TO LIFE FOR US"


This statement "there's far more to life for us" was placed on my heart by God last week. I found myself heart broken by the condition of my life and those I loved. There is so much promised to us as believers that we have yet to tap into, so so so much more! I envisioned Jesus on the cross and all he went through for us to receive our promise of newness. I know He died for more than I life I am living.


Loved ones can I remind you today God has something NEW for you? Let me say it again, God has newness, renewal, fresh starts, hope of beginnings stored up for YOU!


What is it in your life that you feel is dead? What is it in your life that you have lost hope in changing?


Let me speak over those situations and remind you to believe in the NEW.


Many of us are sitting on the bench or at the starting line of the race. We hear the whistle being blown for the start of the game, we hear the shots going off to begin to run, yet we are frozen. Fear freezes us, regret freezes us, complacency freezes us, and previous hurt freezes us.


I am one of the frozen fear mixed in with regret with a large dose of previous hurt mixed in. I have heard the shot go off to start the race and as much as I have trained or been trained up for the moment I stay put with a list of "what ifs" and a fear of the "in between."


A light-hearted example of this is with my first car. I got him for my sixteenth birthday and named him "Trevor." I loved my car, a 1995 Honda Accord. Trevor went with me to college, drove with me to my first post graduate job, he was my getaway car, "taking a drive" car, "no one can hear me cry" space. He was a really great car. You are probably now worried about my obsession with an "object."


I really loved that car. The last two years I have really been in need of a newer car, but my obsession with Trevor always made it difficult. I wanted a "new" car and I wanted to keep my "old" car. I wanted them both! I wanted the benefits of the NEW without letting go of the "OLD"


This is how many of us are as believers. We believe that God has newness for us, He has refreshment and healing for us, but we just cannot let go of the "old." We feel with letting go of the old we are letting go of a part of us.


Some of us don't want to let go of the old because we find entitlement in the old, we feel if we let go of the old people will forget what we went through, or maybe what THEY put us through.


Many of us can't let go of the old because we are scared of the "in between."


Others of us won't let go of the "old" because we have become too comfortable and feel this is what we deserve. Shame is of the enemy, BECAUSE of Christ you are "deserving" He took your place and gave you His place, a deserving place. You are now in Christ, in Christ we find newness.


Isaiah 65:17

"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Ezekiel 36:26

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
John 3:3

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
Romans 6:4

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.







May 28th I bought my "new" car! You should of seen the look on the salesman's face when tears filled my eyes talking about Trevor. I hadn't even signed the papers for the new car yet and hear I am telling this man how good Trevor was and how I will miss him.


Here I was talking about the "old" when the "new" already had my name on it.


The "new" has your name on it! The paper have already been signed by the blood of Jesus, all you have to do is walk into your promise of newness.


My license plate came in for my new car, the plate read something similar to "see ya Trevor." I asked my Dad if he did that, he said it wasn't him.


Isn't that just like our Heavenly Father, reminding us that the present is always better than the past!!!


See you "old" I am ready for the "NEW"

Countdown to Happiness

We all find ourselves at times stuck in a rut, whether sad, misplaced or wanting change, we all have times when things just aren't right.

Every time I get sick I find myself in this situation. All the lounging around, aches and sniffles send only negative messages to my mind. I am a social being so the separation of human interaction sends me straight to gloom town.

I have now been sick for two weeks so here is where I have found myself, I call it "Sicky Sadness."

Instead of letting this continue another day and realizing I may not be the only one feeling like this I thought I would share 10 things to help put a little spring in our steps.

1.) Take a moment and remind yourself you are loved no matter the circumstance

2. Clean your space, sometimes a messy house, car, or office space can just add to stress. Clear the space around you, cleaning will take your mind momentarily off your feelings and once your space is clean you will find you feel so much better. 

3. Buy yourself an under $5.00 treat. The reason I say under 5 is you don't want buyers remorse and you don't want to add to your rut once your bank statement comes in. Buy yourself a little something that makes you feel treated. Today my mom bought me a Sonic drink, it helped, a little happy hour at the office.

4. Exercise! Okay we didn't lose those last few pounds and maybe like myself someone just bought you pizza and you couldn't refuse. Exercise is therapy, take a walk or run outside. Catch that zumba class at the gym with all the middle-aged women. My favorite, take a boxing class, it's a great way to let out some frustration and you walk out feeling you are one step closer to J-Lo status. 

5. Jim Gaffigan's meme above brings up my next countdown to happiness. Listen to stand up comedy. A few of my favorites are Jerry Seinfeld, Bryan Reagan and Anjelah Johnson. You can listen for free on Pandora, I catch myself sometimes laughing out loud at my desk. 

6.Get inspired! Whatever inspires you or whoever inspires you surround your self with these things. My inspiration fix today was reading my friend Christina's blog. Because I am sick I cannot literally surround myself with today's "inspiration." Christina is a ridiculously talented photographer, I love looking through her photos and especially love her blog because it give a glimpse behind the photos. You can find her here http://www.christinacernik.com/ 

Another blog that encouraged me today and always is Kandee Johnson's page. Every woman should visit her page, she is a make-up artist and has a heart for God. She gives make-up tips, life tips and is so encouraging. I always leave her page wanting to add more color to my wardrobe and to my life. You can check her out here. http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=2686492&group=0&frame_type=b&frame=1&click=0&user=0

7. Think about others! Mother's Day is in two days think about something create to surprise that lady in your life to remind her how fabulous she is. Think of someone in your life that needs encouragement and spend some time with them, give them a call, mail them a card. Taking your mind off yourself and focusing on someone else is great medicine for being in a personal rut.  One of my favorite card companies is Rifle Paper check them out here http://riflepaperco.com/

Here is a great card from Rifle to send as encouragement

8. Name ten things you are thankful for. Ten things you know you are extremely blessed to have.  Once you finish I am confident you spirit will be lifted.

9. Try something new. A new sport, a new craft, a new recipe.  I want to pick up golfing, any friends out there want to join me in that adventure let me know.

10. Remember you are irreplaceable! There is only one YOU.  You are loved, treasured and no one on this earth can replace or duplicate the beauty of you! 

Going In For Seconds

    

    For the first time in a decade, I am "the new girl." New girl at church, back to introducing myself as "Amber with an -ly," back to being nervous, shy and at times very insecure. After two years of not serving at a church or having a church that I love and call home, I have found a home church, one that I look forward to attending every week. I joined the children's ministry team and had my first team meeting a few weekends ago. I was told to be at church at 9am for breakfast. I arrived and walked into a room of at least twenty people all cracking jokes to each other and laughing. Luckily a few people remembered my name and made sure I felt included. Within a few minutes I began to feel more comfortable and made new friends.

    About thirty minutes into me 'making friends' breakfast was served. Bacon, eggs, grits, cereal, they had quite the meal for a church meeting. I went up and got myself a bowl of grits and sat down. I ate, chatted with more people and nervously looked up as people were going up for seconds and thirds. I told myself I would just eat my grits, even though I was still hungry. I would get myself lunch on the way home, a big lunch. Everyone finished eating and we made our way to some set up chairs to hear our pastor start the meeting.


     The pastor shared his heart for the kids ministry, people shared their ideas, others spoke on the demographics of the city, and my heart was moved even more for the children of Miami. As it was getting closer to noon, my stomach began to growl, I was so hungry. I knew the meeting had to soon be over, this was only a 'breakfast meeting' right?!?


    We had a break, as I walked out with some girls to the restroom, I casually said "how long do you girls think we will be here?" They laughed and informed me we would definitely be out by 3pm. When we walked back in to the meeting, they had some snacks set out, I was so relieved. Through the next hours all I could think about was that bacon and eggs, if only I had followed everyone and gone in for seconds.


     In Acts 14, we catch up with Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, where they are sharing the message of God's grace. There was division among the people due to the message and Paul and Barnabas got word that those against the message were planning on stoning them. Paul and Barnabas then fled to the Lycaonian, cities of Lysta and Derbe and its surroundings to continue to preach the gospel.

     In Lysta, while Paul was speaking, he saw a lame man with great faith. He called out to this man "Stand up on your feet." The man then stood up and began to walk. The crowd was in shock, believing these men must be gods, they wanted to make sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas.

     15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

     Even after this, the people still wanted to make sacrifices to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and after believing he was dead, they dragged him outside the city. In verse 20 the unthinkable occurs


20 "But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city."


     Are you kidding me Paul? These people tried to kill you, they stoned you and thought you were dead. You must know, this was not those peoples first stoning, they knew what a dead man looks like, either he was really dead or Paul looked so bad that they knew he would died once they left him outside the city.

    But after the disciples gather, possibly pray, Paul had the guts to go back into the city? Who in the right mind would go in for seconds. These people obviously don't like him, don't want to hear from him, and definitely don't want to see someone they just "killed" stroll back into their city.



   The next day, Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in Derbe and a large number believed. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (people, don't you remember these people want you dead) there they strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to keep the faith.

"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

    They traveled through Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga and into Attalia preaching the gospel. Here is the outcome of their persistence verse 26-28.

26 "From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples."

     They were obedient to the task set before them, no matter the fear of death, the hardships they continued to do what God had called them to. Because of their persistence many came to know of God's grace and a door of faith was opened to the Gentiles. I am so thankful Paul and Barnabus went in for seconds, you never know those people that came to know that day probably shared with someone who shared with sometimes, times a thousand years, who shared with us.


What is the task set before you? I doubt any of our callings are as terrifying as Paul and Barnabas'. Maybe God is asking you today to go in for seconds.


Some reading this, may have taken a step back from God, today I encourage you to step in for seconds, God is not mad at you, but He loves you and wants you to have an abundant life. He wants you to have eternal life.

Others reading this, maybe you have step away from your calling or dream due to discouragement or fear, I encourage you today to step in for seconds. Ask God to help you, anything and everything is possible with Him on your side.


Thankfully we have a God with a big appetite for us, He didn't just go in for seconds, He is going in for thirds, fourths, and more and more.It says Paul went back into the city.What I see here is the reminder of a savior coming back for more. Jesus came with a call, we killed him and left him for dead. But let us be reminded of that empty tomb and a savior that went back into the city, and promised to come back for seconds.





“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3



1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."



II Peter 3:8-9, NIV. "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."



Hebrews 9:28, TLB. "So also Christ died only once as an offering for the sins of many people; and He will come again, but not to deal again with our sins. This time He will come bringing salvation to all those who are eagerly and patiently waiting for Him."


1 Corinthians 1:7-8, TLB. "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And He guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when He returns."


Revelation 22:20, NKJV. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus"

Talk to me

Hey friends,
 I would love to hear from you all. Please comment on my blog letting me know your thoughts, encouragement, and I am sure you all could add something to my ideas. I would love to hear from you all.

Also, make sure to follow me on bloglovin!! It makes it so easy to stay updated on your favorite blogs. Instead of me going to each individual blog I like to see if they have updated, with bloglovin I get an email whenever someone updates their blog. So easy, right?

Putting all your eggs in one basket

A favorite of mine wrote a song years ago saying "I shoulda listened to what Mama said 'Don't put your eggs in one basket' that basket was you."

I found myself humming this song today and thinking about the meaning.


Let's be honest, we have all done this before, put all our eggs in one basket whether in a 
Relationship
Career
Dream

 Mark Twain said

“Put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket."

I was thinking today about the times and situations that I put all my eggs in one basket. At times I have put all my love into one person, all my trust in one career and all my faith in the possibility of a dream.

At times, especially as women, we find ourselves looking into what seems to be an empty basket.

I said to my sister tonight, "I wish I could go through life and treat people kind and make them laugh despite how they make me feel. I wish I could make a mental note to myself for future reference but in the moment while they are around me, be as kind, encouraging and comical as possible. I just wish I wasn't so easily hurt."

It is in these moments looking down into an empty basket I realized I have been putting my eggs in the wrong basket. My mind, heart and life are not centered on Christ. 

 

Psalm 28:7 ESV 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Matthew 11:28 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

I felt God clearly tell me today, 'come to Me, put everything on ME, I will not judge you. I will take the good and bad eggs. I will multiply the good and help you work through the bad. Put all your eggs in my basket."

What a beautiful reminder for us all. We can trust God, we can cast all our cares (eggs) on Him (into His basket) for He CARES for us. 

I will be honest, I am writing this will a bit of a sore heart. Relationships I have worked hard for, dreams I have longed for as  just the start of 2014 have turned out to be empty. 

But in this I see God's hand, I see God telling me to keep my eyes up, waiting in expectancy for God-given relationships, God-given careers and God-given dreams. Knowing that if I continually put All my eggs in His basket, I don't have to keep watch on it like Mark Twain advised. I can rest knowing that my God has it all in control.

I will put my hope, worry, dreams, fears, relationships, heart-ache, future and my past, I will put all my eggs in His basket and allow the only one able to help, help me though all my failures and VICTORIES.

Oh what a beautiful day... everything's going my way

I need to start waking up like Hugh Jackman

In my time in the Word this morning I found myself clinging to promises. I sat there with my arms reached high as I told myself "I am blessed!" "God is on my side!"

As I was in my room I was reminded of a song we used to sing in church growing up.

I am blessed. I am blessed.

Every day that I live, I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning
Till I lay my head to rest,
I am blessed. I am blessed.Psalms 1

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yield its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

verse 6- For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."




Maybe I am the only one but today I needed the comfort of knowing I am firmly planted, and when this season changes oh the fruit I will see! So thankful I have a Father who watches over me and whatever I do will prosper. I needed this reminder.




I have found myself really feeling the opposite of this promise lately. I am just being honest, I have really been doubting this whole "God is on my side" concept. I have felt 'unlucky' lately. Now admitting this I feel rather lame. I would like to share my lameness for a minute so others out there can join me in snapping out of the idea that God is not for us. God is for us! Romans 8 clearly explains this. Please take a moment and read Romans 8.




Ok here is an honest story from yours truly of a daughter forgetting the Romans 8 beautiful reminder




I went to the doctor on Monday to get checked out. My Dad has been very ill so I just wanted to make sure that I okay and get an antibiotic to help my cough and sore throat. On the way there my car is running pretty rough, automatically I am set off. I had just got my car back from being "fixed" and it is now running worse than before I dropped it off. Negativity engulf my mind immediately and I felt God quiet me by saying "I am here." I get to the doctor and the receptionist is rather rude and that sets me off more. The doctor comes in after 40 minutes of me waiting. He fills out a prescription for me and I am on my way. I dropped off my prescription and call the sisters to see if they want me to pick them up anything while I am out. Jenna asked me to pick up milk to which I reply "I bought milk yesterday" her reply "well there is no milk here" I then realized the person bagging my groceries did not bag my milk and I would have to go back. These little, no big deal things were infuriating me.

I continued in aggravation running my errands, a gentle voice was quietly whispering "I am here."

My prescription was ready at this point I was sure, they told me it would take an hour so I made sure to return two hours later to make sure I would not have to wait, didn't want any chance of more frustration.

I walk in feel exhausted and mumble under my breath "I am just so unlucky!" (enter pathetic sappy pitty party song playing in my head). Just as that thought passed me I looked down to find a dollar lying on the ground. I quickly picked it up and slid it in my pocket. I walked up the the pick up window

"Lania, you prescription will be ready in ten minutes." Luckily I remained calm and sat down to watch some siblings playing. Older brother was around 6 years old followed by sister around 5 and youngest brother around 2 years old. They all had their own family size bag of popcorn and jumped around as mom and grandma sat and talked. I couldn't help but laugh as they played and chased each other down the aisle. The grandmother noticing my admiration looked over at me and said "You have any?"

Me: "Oh, kids?"

Gma: "Yes."

Me: "OH no, maybe one day"

Gma: "One day very soon, soon you will have kids."

Me: "Yes, hopefully"

Gma: "Soon, soon you will have kids"




I awkwardly laughed, the oldest brother walked over to me, one hand deep in his popcorn bag the other hand pushing his sister away from him.

Boy: (pointing to baby brother) "He just got out of the hospital"

Me: "Oh I am sorry to hear that, is he okay?"

Boy: "Yes he is strong"

Sister: "I am strong too"

Me: "yea, I can tell"

Boy: "You know what I learned it church?"

Me: "No, what?"

Boy: "I learned about blood"

Me: "WOW"

Boy: :Jesus played in the snow and got hurt and bled and died."

Me: "Wow, why was He in the snow?"

Boy: "Well there was a car and Jesus and snow"

Me: (speechless)

The boy goes on for about 5 minutes about Jesus and the snow

Boy: "You know Jesus?"

at this point his sister comes and pushes him and the conversation soon transitioned to school but I will never get over this little kid looking me dead in the eyes asking me if I knew Jesus.




I went home and shared the story with my family. Jenna of course saw God in the entire story. My mom after I told her how I felt unlucky lately and how comical God is in that dollar being there, she said "Amber, the rain falls on the just and the unjust."

Seriously how true it that, her I am rating God's affection and toward me on how lucky or unlucky I feel. I feel ashamed to admit this.




God's love is not a see-saw, His love does not go up and down for us. His love is the only constant thing we have in this world. In God's gentle reminder of "I am here" He is saying I am with you, I am along for the ride, good or bad I am here, I am not going anywhere, you are not alone. What He is also saying is, I am Here, as in Heaven. I am here where there is no pain or frustration, I am here in the promise land, I am here in your promise. Today was a big reminder that earth is not my home. My reward is heaven.




Here I am looking for my earthly reward, looking for my earthly treasure, looking for luck, but I am already found my reward, my treasure, all the luck I need is in Christ alone. This may all seem obvious to you all, but these past few days have been a hard lesson for me to grasp. Jesus is my reward. I am blessed. I am blessed whether I have a car or not, I am blessed whether my bank account looks it or not. I am blessed beyond anything this world could offer.




I laugh writing this now because there are so many real problems in the world, my "bad" day is nothing in comparison to some real hurts and conflicts many of you are facing. I am praying for all of you out there that "Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.…" (Hebrews 13:20)




I looked up the rest of the lyrics to that song and realized that God was desiring a sing a long with me to refresh my heart. What a Great Shepherd we have! He always looks after His sheep, even those like me that need more a reminder of His heart for me. "I AM HERE" Check out the extra choruses for a great reminder.




I Am Blessed
Through the sunshine and rain,
Even sorrow and pain,
Jesus still is my comfort and guide.
And His love comforts me,
And His grace has set me free,
And some day I shall stand by His side.

Chorus:
I am blessed. I am blessed.
Every day that I live, I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning
Till I lay my head to rest,
I am blessed. I am blessed.

I have shoes for my feet,
I have plenty to eat,
and a home up in Heaven bye and bye.
Brothers and Sisters on this earth;
They are mine by my New Birth,
and we'll share in that Home beyond the sky.

I am blessed. I am blessed.
Every day that I live, I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning
Till I lay my head to rest,
I am blessed. I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning
Till I lay my head to rest,
I am blessed. I am blessed.

Extra Choruses:

He is there. He is there.
Every moment I live, He is there.
He walks with me through the day,
And at night I'm in His care.
He is there. He is there.

We are blessed. We are blessed.
Every day that we live, we are blessed.
When we wake up in the morning
Till we lay our head to rest,
We are blessed. We are blessed.

Author: Dr. Jerry Goff


Today is a beautiful day and everything is truly going my way. Love, Amberly

Where is my firework show?

   If anyone finds themselves like me, your twenties are not exactly looking like you had hoped.   I always said I wish that they was a course at college called "What To Expect After the Diploma." You know a crash course in what to expect once you have the degree, and start planning your 'happily ever after". Class lessons would include  things I wish someone older could have taught me and my friends..
"What to do when you don't land the dream job"
"How to manage your finances when rent is more than your pay"
"It's your 25 birthday and you're still single"
"Engagement is off, how to start new"
"I landed the dream job and I hate it"


Years ago I wished someone would have offered this course to me, then I wished I could be the professor to educate and warn others about the terrible twenties.

But recently I am so thankful for my twenties and all the awkwardness that came with it. I am thankful no one warned me, I am thankful I didn't land the dream job, I am even thankful for the heartbreak.  I am thankful my first post grad job was making drinks at Starbucks. I am thankful my first house was with the funniest and most adventurous girls. I am thankful for failed relationships and even at times feeling I failed myself.  I would never want to try tell people shortcuts for these situations for in these difficulties we realized how truly brave we can be.

I realized I lived my early twenties waiting for my own private firework show. I spent my early twenties worried of what others thought, worried about failing and constantly playing the comparison game.

 I was waiting to be discovered when in reality your twenties are about discovering yourself. Discovering your inner strength, discovering your weakness, but truly about discovering your worth.

I asked several of my favorite girlfriends, those freshly in their thirties, what advice they would give the 25 year old version of themselves and here are some of my favorite answers.
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“don’t worry so much what people think does not matter. Work hard and follow your dreams.”

“do something that your future self will thank you for.. try new things, travel, fall in love, don’t be overcome with insecurities- you’ll only regret that. Also spiritually I would say that God's will always stands the test of time. Don’t force things that you may regret later, especially relationships w the opposite sex.

  “my best advice would be to live your life to the fullest. Live each day as if its last. Tomorrow is not promised. Always put God first and always make good choices. The choices we make when we are young are the choices that will affect the rest of our lives, if I could do it over again I would value myself more. I have grown so much in the last several years and now I can see what I am worthy of.. I would also say that people say your twenties are the best years of your life I disagree your twenties are good but your thirties are better, at thirty one years old I can say I feel a woman and like I'm  ready for whatever my future brings. The things I wanted in my twenties are not the same things I want in my thirties. I'm proud of who  I am  and what I have become.. its like a fine wine its gets better with age"

Looking back I realize some of the best firework shows were happening all around me.

Dear Twenty something, LIVE! Dream big! Be okay with failing, there is not one successful person that has not failed at one time. LOVE! Love yourself, be proud of yourself. Then go crazy loving others. Let's take advice from other women who have something to teach us.

As women we need each other. As Christian women let's change the tide and instead of comparing ourselves with others lets begin to reach out and uplift each other. Let's break down walls that we have formed between each other. As women we need to be fans of each other, find beauty in each other and help each other succeed.

Women let's live 2014, no matter our age. Let's enjoy our beauty and the beauty around us. Let's start to enjoy ourselves and enjoy our age. We only have one year as each number what will you do with your age and what will you do with 2014? Let's live it out together.