I'm currently in that awkward stage of not wanting to sit at the kid's table and not quite comfortable sitting at the grown up one. I'm faced with the same questions daily, you know, what do you plan on doing after college, what kind of job do you see yourself in and on and on it goes. But while I'm straddling these two positions, I think it's important to take what I have observed and learned from a more "innocent" child's perspective before I become an adult filled with more knowledge than should be allowed. Children are able to keep things simple and they are able to see what really matters in life, what's really important. As we grow up into adulthood, we often times find ourselves chasing after dreams, stepping on people we swore we never would, and becoming more focused on making money and having things. We lose ourselves in a world of possibilities where everything is never enough. In hopes to prevent that, I've compiled a list of what I would like my future 30 year old (well, earlier and beyond) self:
- Don't live in excess. I think this is the biggest one I want to remember. Christ teaches us that all of our earthly possessions are meaningless anyway. So why carry meaningless stuff around? My time and money and be better spent than on duplicates of lost things that I never used anyway. And along the lines of not wanting to live in excess, I don't want to live in a big house or a rich neighborhood. I want my children to grow up playing in the neighborhood until night with all of their friends, like I was fortunate to do. Plus, big houses just seem to create bigger spaces within the family. I want to see my family and know what's going on without having to call them or facebook them.
- Be generous. Children have such a keen sense of knowing when someone else is in need of something. Not only are they aware of it, but they are also much quicker to respond than adults who dilly dally weighing the consequences.
- Have an open home (be hospitable). I absolutely love how open my parents were to having my friends stay over for a meal, the night or just a couple hours. They got to know my friends and call them their own. I love that involvement and I definitely want that to be the same when I have a family.
- God will provide for everything. I understand it gets overwhelming with so having so many bills to pay on time and wanting to do fun things, but I promise... God will provide. In Matthew, God asks us to look at how the birds of the air flourish without doing a thing. We were made in the image of God himself, so how much more valuable are we?? Trust me, God will provide. I see it on a daily basis. I just hope and pray that I don't forget about this wonderful promise and take matters into my own hands.
- Love, love, love. Even when I don't feel like it, love. Love those around you regardless of how you're feeling. Love those that are different, those that butt heads with you, and those that are dear to your heart.
There are many more things I'd like to remember for when I finally feel comfortable at the adult table, but for now, this is it.
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