It has been a while since I last shared lessons and concepts I’ve been learning in my life. I think personal growth–and recognizing that growth–is important. When I learn something I try to write it down, practice it, and want to share it. The lessons I learn may not be new to you, but I figured I’d share anyways!
Things I’m learning
1. Act like the person you want to be.
We are all growing, learning, and changing every day. I’m not who I was a year ago, and I will continue to change. I know the person I want to be, and I’m continually working on being that person. I want to be someone who is faithful to God, mentally strong, loving, selfless, and balanced. Am I that person every day? Nope. Not at all. On the hard days, where I feel like I make every mistake in the book, I’m learning to act like the person I want to be. It’s like the “fake it till you make it” concept.
I have learned that trying things–whether it’s becoming a better person, learning a new hobby, etc.–is about consistency, not perfection. We’re never going to be perfect or do things perfectly, but we can consistently try, and that’s what counts. We all have rough days, but keeping the big picture in mind is what it’s all about. If we’re trying our best, one mistake or bad day isn’t the end of the world, it’s simply a learning experience.
2. Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.
I suppose this is something that I have learned before, but I continually learn it in different ways. I’m someone who like to have well-laid plans. For the day, week, month, year, etc. It feels comforting to have an idea of what’s happening in my life, what I’d like to do, and know that it’s all written down in my trusty little planner.
For example, just a week ago, I mentioned in this post that Jimmy and I knew in 2016 that we’d be working, getting a puppy, and staying involved with our church. Guess what? We’re not getting a puppy. Unfortunately, some circumstances happened that were out of our control and led us to have to make a decision about whether or not we should get the puppy we’ve been planning on taking into our home for a few months. After prayer and thinking the circumstances through, we decided that God has other plans.
We wrote something down in pencil and God erased it. I don’t know why, but I trust Him. Sometimes time will tell, sometimes things just don’t work out and we won’t know why on this side of heaven. We never know what God has in store for the future, but we can trust that it’s going to be much better than anything we could have planned ourselves!
Living My Full Life 
Give God the eraser. I love that Allie! It’s so important to realize that nothing is set in stone. Well, nothing except heaven, which is one thing I would never want to be erased =P
Thanks, Ellie! And you’re right about heaven being set in stone. That’s the best!!
I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be getting a puppy this year. 😦 But I think the lessons you’re learning are very wise.
I’m sad about it, too, but I know it’s for a reason. Sometimes I think God has me loosen my grip on good things so I can grasp onto great things, you know? And thank you!! I try to always learn and put things into practice. The second past is harder than the first, but I try my best 🙂
This one of your best posts ever! As you know, we’ve had some challenging things going on in our home right now, and trusting in God has become so important. Getting caught up in life’s ‘things’ causes us all to slip into forgetting to focus on Him, and to cast all our worries, cuz we just can’t so it alone. Thank you baby– I really needed this 😘
Amen! I couldn’t agree more :). Thanks for the comment, mom! I love you!
Such valuable lessons. I love the part about giving God the eraser. And I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be getting the puppy. 😦
Thanks, Amy! And yeah, I’m sad about the whole puppy thing too, but I’m learning to give that eraser to God through it all! 🙂
AMEN, and oh so beautifully put.
Thank you, Brittany!
have you read 7 by jen hatmaker? i’m reading it right now, and it’s challenging so many of my ideas about love/life/character/choice. also, i 100% agree about consistency over perfection 🙂 lovely post.
YES! (See here: https://allieksmith.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/my-top-10-books-of-2012/ I also read it again last year because I enjoyed it so much). Such a wonderful book that really makes you think!!
I’m glad you agree on the whole consistency vs. perfection thing, too!
” Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.” I love it!! 🙂 God has such amazing plans for your life!
Aww, thanks Nicole!!
I like the idea of writing in pencil and giving God the eraser. That’s a really good way of putting it! I’m sorry to hear about circumstances changing, but I’m glad to hear that you are handling it well!
Thanks, Rach!! I appreciate it 🙂
So true about striving for consistency and not perfection. Love!
Thanks, friend!!