23. Love always wins.
I was out last night at the Lincoln Haymarket to have a Happy 23rd Birthday photo shoot and this glowing couple came up to me and exclaimed that
it was their 32nd Wedding Anniversary and that what are the odds of running
into each other?! They had noticed my big silver balloons and asked if they could switch the balloons around for a quick pic. Of course they could! God knows that love stories are so important to me. I see a
reflection of the truest love story of God pursuing my heart when I see a
couple relentlessly pursue each other throughout their marriage. Thank you Mr.
& Mrs. Bartle for letting me share a glimpse into the sweet sparkle you
share for each other and model for your children!
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| Happy 32nd Anniversary Mrs. & Mr. Barbara Bartle! |
22. Think the best of him/her. Too many times I
misinterpreted others’ actions and completely missed the point that they had
endearing intentions. Clarify and condition your heart to not be defensive.
21. Perspective is powerful. One of my favorite quotes is, “Sooner
or later you will see the big picture God is painting for your life instead of
just the colors He's using at the moment.”
20. Spend some time on the streets learning from people who
are homeless. Their advice about avoiding their circumstances and their
positivity towards finding the little things in life to add cheer are
priceless.
19. Take care of your health. When I was 19 I found out I
have fructose intolerance. Following the FODMAP diet has eliminated the
majority of my issues and I now enjoy eating the delightful foods our Creator
made!
18. Invest energy and time into protecting your family unit.
As a daughter I have a responsibility to uphold my parents marriage by not
pitting the other parent against each other. As a sister I have a
responsibility of mentoring my brother and sharing my mistakes with him so that
he does not make the same.
17. Take Driver’s Education. In Hawaii my instructor, Mr. Higa,
pled with our class to sign a pledge to not text and drive as well as to not
talk on the phone and drive. The point is that our mind is distracted while we
are engaged in those activities, even hands free. A person on the other end of
the phone can’t see that semi coming too close and will not let up talking.
“Don’t tempt fate that text can wait.”
16. Push yourself academically. When I was 16 my mom
encouraged me to leave high school to pursue college at part-time, slow, and
steady pace. After prayerfully considering it, that was a great choice for me
and one that my younger brother has made as well.
15. Don’t follow the status quo. Listen to what God is
telling you to do. Some of the choices I have made have been because the Holy
Spirit was calling me to make them. Sometimes professors and even church
members will not understand the calling God has for you. Don’t let that get in
the way of God parting the Red Sea.
14. You can wait to find your mate. In other words, you
don’t have to say yes to every date. One of my favorite quotes by Eric Vaughn
is, “If his six pack is fantastic, but his Bible is still in the plastic. I
don’t even gotta say it.”
13. Train your brain to reframe negative thoughts into
positive ones. Forming healthy connections and pathways in our brain means
making the choice to not engage in negativity. You may need to make boundaries
with others who do not want to go on this marathon with you.
12. Exercise your body, it will thank you. Your performance
at work and school will skyrocket. You will think clearer and be more
efficient. Squats and burpees are my best friend.
11. Interview couples about their family dynamics and love
story. Their advice will set you up for success and help you beware of common
pitfalls that are avoidable. Getting couples to reminisce about their love
story may encourage them to choose to reenact those times and strengthen their
spark and choice to love each other continually.
10. Getting jabs is often from others’ insecurity. Hurt
people hurt people. They need a healthy dose of unconditional love. Don’t take
it personally. You have the special gift of modeling to them what going the
extra mile means.
9. Find humor in everything you can. I once heard a quote
that went something like, “Children laugh on average 300 times a day, while
adults laugh on average 17 times a day. Jesus says we should be like children.”
8. Learn the love languages of those around you. Is it words
of affirmation, physical tough, receiving gifts, quality time, or acts of service?
One time I told someone who is like my sister that her love language must be
this or that. She smiled and sweetly said, “Oh, I think they are ALL my love
languages.” Your encouragement, affirmation, empathy, touch, thoughtfulness,
focus, one-on-one time, and actions speak volumes and can communicate love on a
daily basis.
7. Celebrate Sabbath. Taking a 24-hour break from academics
and work has never held me back or hindered my life, it has only caused me to
be more energized, at peace, and ready for the next week. If God rested on the
7th day from all of His creation, then of course we can rest on that
day and enjoy His creation.
6. Set healthy boundaries, emotionally, physically,
spiritually, mentally. Set emotional boundaries with those who are not your
spouse or significant other. Set physical boundaries in your relationships. Set
spiritual boundaries in your values and who sets the tone for your choices. Set
mental boundaries through taking breaks and agreeing to how much you will take
on.
5. Proverbs 11:25 is so true! “The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” It really is greater to
give than to receive. We can never out give God. In reflecting on giving tithe,
God has always supplied more than I need and given me more in return than the
10% that I have given back that was already His to begin with.
4. Less is more. This is true in a lot of areas. You will
probably feel better if you don’t overstuff yourself at mealtime, if you don’t
spread yourself thin with extracurricular activities, and if you listen more
than you speak.
3. Stay transparent. When I have opened up about my current
struggles, others echo that they can relate and then we can encourage each
other. When I have told faculty that I am struggling in their classes, they
talk me through the material and give me test-taking tips. When you finally
talk to God about how you feel overburdened, He has permission from you to
lighten your load.
2. Be genuine. Find out how the person next to you is doing
whether they are a friend, foe, or stranger and ask them follow-up questions to
go deeper. Thoughtfully respond when someone takes you off guard, they just
might need a genuine gesture.
1. Give God a chance. What picture of His character has been
painted for you all these years? The God I know is a God of love, Who is doing
everything He can to protect you in such a sin-filled world, Who is not
controlling everyone’s actions because He gives free choice, Who has a better
plan that is unfolding one day closer at a time, Who wants to pursue a genuine
friendship with you, and Who loves you just as you are, but too much to leave
you and me that way.
In His Joys,
Hannah Elise Abbott
