What is Never Spoken

I've often thought about what it would be like to have a little sister.  Someone who I could nurture and who could look up to me for wisdom and guidance.  I love giving my words to others' because words are one of God's greatest gifts to me.

As it happens, I do not have a little sister, and that is the way God wanted it.  I am ever grateful for the two amazing older brothers He did grant me.  However, I still want to share this wisdom that I possess.

Here's something you may not know about me: I know a lot about life.  I don't know how, really.  It's something God has blessed me with.  Deep and profound knowledge and wisdom about life.  Most don't realize this, but it's true.  And something I've been learning lately, as my Mom would put it, "Sometimes it's okay to be 15 and not 35."

She's right, of course.

But for now, let me be 35 for a moment.  If I did indeed had a little sister, here are a few things (and I'm sure I could probably say a lot more!) I would tell her that I've learned so far in my lifetime.

1. Confidence is a tricky thing.  Too little, and the world will swallow you up.  Too much, and the world will spit you back out.  You have to find the right balance for yourself.  Don't look for confidence in other people.  Find it in yourself.  You decide what you think of yourself; you decide what defines you.

2. Don't ever try to fit a mold.  You should never force yourself into someone you aren't.  The world thinks they know who you should be, but they don't.  The world measures beauty by scales and numbers, talent by arrogance and applause, and love by boasting and flamboyancy.  No one can be good at everything, but everyone is good at something.  Find that something and don't give up on it, not even when it's hard.  Let what you love be what you do.

3. Don't fight for a spot in someone's life.  If that person wants you there, he or she will keep you there.  You shouldn't have to try too hard or be someone else to please them.  And don't let anyone use you.  Be kind, be a friend, but don't let that friendship only be one-sided and exhausting.  Respecting others must stem firstly from respecting yourself.

4. Let no kind words go unsaid.  It's painful to say something you didn't really mean.  But it's more painful to regret not saying something kind you really did.

5. Never underestimate prayer.  It's easy to pass off a problem as "too trivial for God".  Believe me, it's not.  God is HERE, God is LISTENING, God is ANSWERING in His own time and in His own way.  But remember that it is His will and not our own.

6. Don't be intimidated or embarrassed.  We are all humans here, stumbling around blindly in a world where we don't belong.  Don't let anyone intimidate you or embarrass you.  They've cried, too.  They've hurt, too.  They're fighting their own battles, too.

7. Remember who He made you to be, because who you are is bound to change.

8. Love selflessly.  Expect nothing in return. God loved us while we were still sinners.

9. Be willing to admit and apologize for your faults, but you should never have to apologize for who you are. If they don't like it, it's their loss and not yours.

10. Most of all, give the glory to God.  Set your mind on the things eternal, for everything in this life will soon fade away.  In the meantime, pray, smile, give, love, write, find your passion, and be a voice.  You never know who you're inspiring.

I'm not really sure why I felt like sharing this with y'all this week.  I just got this feeling - maybe a Holy Spirit nudge - to put this advice "out there".  Maybe someone who really needs to hear it will read this.  Maybe God is doing some crazy stuff through this blog that I don't even know about.

But I just want to take this moment to say thanks, LORD.

Thanks for sunshine.
Thanks for beauty.
Thanks for words.

...Love, Anna...

My inspiration: "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." -E.E. Cummings