Thursday, August 16, 2012

If I Knew Then What I Know Now

If I Knew Then ....

When I look back at the girl I used to be, I just shake my head.  What a bundle of fears and insecurities I was! I'm glad I can't go back and relive that life, even though it would be great to apply the things I've learned since those days.

If it were possible to give a heads-up to the teen-age Jerralea, here is what I would tell her:

1.  You are beautiful, just as you are.  I remember always feeling awkward and clumsy and worrying that I was fat.  Anyone who can fit in a size 5 skirt is not fat. Somehow, I let the images I saw daily in magazines, on TV and at the movies convince me that I was not acceptable. I would be happy now to have the body I did then!

Since those days I have learned how God sees me.  I am a masterpiece:

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians  2:10 NLT

and He rejoices over me with singing.  Just. The. Way. I. Am.

For the Lord your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

He delights in me! Why can't I delight in myself as well?

2.  Get a degree:  I never went to college as a young person because I had no idea what I wanted to study.  I knew I wanted to be a wife and a mother. I didn't need a degree to be those things.  Now I see that was short-sighted thinking.  If I had a degree, life would have been a lot less scary when my husband became disabled.

3.  Save your money: When I think of the money I wasted in my younger years, I just shake my head.  I wish there had been a Dave Ramsey course in high school!

The Bend in the Road ...

However, you can't go back and give yourself advice.  There are no do-overs in this life, and that is okay.  My struggles and mistakes have helped shape me into the person I am today.  I'm certainly far from perfect but I am kinder, wiser, and happier than I used to be. I'm excited to see what the bend in the road ahead has in store.

Life is a gift.  Enjoy!


This post was written in response to the Writer's Workshop prompt 1.) If I could tell my teenage self... (inspired by Le Musings of Moi).  To read of others' teenage angst, visit Mama Kat at her blog, Mama's Losin' It!

5 comments:

  1. If not Dave Ramsey (though he is top notch) at least I wish we had more education on finances. credit, percentage repayment, types of home loans, buying a new car vs used etc etc. . Too many of these financial decisions I had to learn through failing, learning, and do-overs!
    Over from mama kat's

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  2. I love this. Great points. There are no do-overs but like you, I feel my mistakes made me the person I am today. Someone much wiser. Now on the parent side, it's hard watching your children have fears and make mistakes but they have to learn just like we did.

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  3. This was a nice, reflective post. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all know THEN what we know NOW! To be wise when young would be a virtue indeed.

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  4. All really good advise, for Jerralea or anyone else! Thanks for sharing this sweet post

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  5. Great advice. If only we could go back...how different life would be. Saving money and getting a degree are two things I did not do until later in life, and I wish I'd started sooner. Youth is wasted on the young! Who said that?!

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