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Today I come to you with an invitation to join me. Join us actually. I have made it clear how much I enjoy reading Emily's blog and books, and it took me a while to understand that the Nester is her sister. They are both awesome, that's what I mean.
Every October, they put on a month long invitation to join them to write for 31 days. About whatever you want to write on, as long as you think you won't get sick of it. And this time I decided to join them.
I'm actually quite scared of the thought of writing for 31 days straight. All sorts of what ifs rush through my mind and I already foresee skipping posts and letting (imaginary) people down. And that's exactly why I have to do it.
I didn't have to do much thinking about the theme, as I've been focusing on it for quite a while now. But I know the idea of writing about it will force me to digest some things that are still milling in my head, search for inspiration through other blogs and focus on lessons I've heard and yet don't seem to have learned.
If you are looking for a blogging challenge, I suggest you join us. It can be about anything, as long as you write, write, write. For some free 31 buttons, hop on to the Nester's site. See you Monday with the first post!
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Today is hubby's bday, so I am all excited about the fact he gets the spotlight for a whole day. He loves, loves, loves birthday celebrations and would probably have a huge party every year if we could afford it. But you know what? He is awesome and totally deserves it.
Here are some light weekend reading. Enjoy!
Emily Freeman is encouraging people to write a letter to themselves, aged 16, and some awesome stuff is coming out of it. I need time to sit and read through them all. If you haven't yet, feel free to start by reading mine.
Lysa TerKeurst is once again reading my thoughts by writing about how much she talks. Let the non-yabber girl throw the first stone.
This week I found Pete Wilson's blog. I already loved him for writing Empty Promises. After watching this video, I can see his wife is just as awesome as I would have expected. Plus, I now vow to never wear a shower cap in front of my husband anymore.
And last, but not least, I feel that this week was a themed one. On Sunday I had to choose a brand new Scripture to write on my craft room board and I choose Ephesians 3:16-19. Yesterday I had to write on wide, which brought that to mind. And in the evening, I checked John Piper's blog to find this little gem. Don't you just love when things fit in?
Have a blessed weekend everyone!
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Today I am joining Emily in her link up party. She is the author of the amazing book I am currently reading called Grace for the Good Girl. In some ways, I feel she wrote this book entirely for me. Either that, or we are long-lost twin sisters and she just gets me.
She now has a new book out called Graceful, which from what I understand is similar to the one I am reading, only directed to teenager girls. How awesome is that? So lots of people are linking up letters to themselves when they were 16 to celebrate this awesomeness. Join me, will you?
Dear Me,
If you read this letter hoping for a layout of how your life will turn out in the next fifteen years, you might as well stop reading right now. I have three things to dispense as wisdom, and the first is to live in the moment, so no names of future husbands or hints as to career choices will come your way.
You've always been good in living vicariously from the past or expectantly on the future. Stop this right now. Enjoy high school. Enjoy your responsibilities (or lack thereof). Enjoy your friendships. You will loose friends to untimely death and some others to lack of contact.
Your anxiety about college is useless, as you will go to a different country than you expect, a city you never heard of. It will scare you silly. And you will love every minute of it. So much, that a piece of you will always be there. Stop planning your wedding and picking names for your children. None of those will happen when, where and how you think they will. Live in the now, for you will soon be longing for these brief moments of teenage carefree happiness.
Advice number two is cut yourself some slack. Although you feel the world is pressuring you, that pressure comes from none other than yourself. Your mother loves you. You father supports you. Your friends understand you. God accepts you. No matter what you do or don't. These high-expectations just make you feel you can't control what you actually cannot.
Making mistakes is a natural part of life, and we can't always wish to undo and un-say what is left behind. Had you avoided the mistakes you make, you wouldn't be you. Therefore, allowing yourself to relax and lightening up on the load you place on your own shoulders is just common sense.
Advice number three: be kinder. You think you have the right to be mad, the right to complain, the right to not help. You actually do have the right to do whatever you want. However, you will always regret it. Seeing people be unkind to each other will make you witness family feuds, friendships shatter and marriages come to an end. And even though you see all that around you, it will still feel as your God-given right to act that way. You will think that that's how people treat each other. It's not. That is a horrible trick your ego plays with you, and you can be the first to break free from that lie. Learn from the examples set before you, so you can show love in all you do.
Understand that God is in control and everything that happens to you is allowed by Him. Whether you like it or not, sooner or later you will realise that He was working for your own good.
With lots of love,
Yourself
