Not a loss, just a lesson

When talking to a friend of mine last night about a certain situation, she said to me "This wasn't a loss, Alicia, this was just a lesson." I like that alot. I was thinking about how blessed I am this morning. I have had quite a few "lessons" in my life. That pain produces something beautiful though. I am trusting that all of this will lead to wisdom & compassion & understanding. Feeling pain and disappointment gives great depth to the soul. No more time for shallow aspirations. We learn the importance of deep relationships built on devotion, loyalty & brutal honesty. You learn to take it just like you dish it, which most people can't do. Everyone loves to dish it out... but get offended when it is dished right back. If you're gonna dish it, you need to be able to take it & just move right along.

So what "lessons" have I learned?

1. Life goes on. Always.
2. There are alot of genuinely good people in the world.
3. God is faithful even when I am not.
4. This makes me want to be the most faithful person I can be to others & to Him.
5. Encouragement is all around us if we look for it.
6. What people think of me is insignificant if I know who I am.
7. Hard work pays off.
8. Children are a blessing from God.
9. I know what I know, and can trust my judgment.
10. Having relationships with genuinely good people adds a richness to my life like nothing else.

That's just a few. I am getting ready to move my entire household this weekend. As a single Mom in a town I have lived in for just one year, you would think this would be daunting. But I have almost 8 - 9 men who have volunteered their Saturday to help. Alot of them are from my church and my parent's church. Church to me has never been about the pews and the steeple. It's these people. These people who give of themselves. I have learned the valuable lesson that PEOPLE are most important to me.

So in case I haven't said it enough: I am thankful for you!