SortingBeans

You know how the saying goes!

Together now, “The older you get, the WISER you get.” There, that wasn’t so bad, eh? Well, it’s more assuring for the aging one and less relevant for the young. I never did get why people said that when I was younger! But is it true? Do we get wiser as we age? I sure hope so!

Last year I turned 30. This year, Today, my wife turns 30. Both of us are in somewhat a stage of denial. Why, because we still feel 20-something (except when I do something strenuous!!). But have we grown wiser? I think so. You know how the other saying goes, yes? “If I had only known then what I know now. . . .” This is true. I would have definitely made other choices. That is not to say that I have many regrets. Much of what has happened in the past has helped make me what I am today.

So, as we age

Learn. I remember being asked my first class I attended at the University I go to, “What does it mean to be a lifelong learner?” Then another question came along the same thought, but much more convicting: “What does it mean to be a lifelong Christian learner?” I thought and thought about this question. I had never before been asked that question. So, my response was (paraphrased): “To continually pursue, gain, and allow what ever resources that God gives me – knowledge, wisdom, experience, etc – to be a continue outpouring to others through worshiping God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind, and loving others as I do myself, so that God can be glorified in my life.” I’m not sure if that was the right answer, but it has pretty much stayed the same since.

So far, I have learned a lot through parenting and marriage. If you want to learn patients, have children. If you want to learn how to be selfless, get married. If you have children, you can still pretty much do the things you want, you just have to accommodate. With a spouse, you give up everything. This is not a bad thing, because for some reason you enjoy it! (most of the time!!!)

What can you share?

Some of the lessons I’ve learned in life:

• Don’t steal other people’s rabbits and catch them on fire, the image never leaves your mind
• Never hang on to a car in motion – road rash is a terrible thing
• Water never goes well with cereal – make sure it’s milk you’re using in the early morning
• Minds are a terrible thing to waist
• Sometimes God speaks to you through your sensing, but don’t neglect the Word as your guide. Always make sure what you think God is saying to you aligns with the Bible
• Reading the Bible is sometimes difficult to understand. Here is a suggestion: The goal is not to get through the Word, but for the Word to get through you
• The heart of the human problem is a problem with the human heart
• Exercise is important to maintain, because mountain dew and hot dogs start tasting good
• Ask not what the world can do for you, or what you can do for the world, but what will glorify God?
• If you want to manage someone, manage yourself – be an example by influencing and leading others
• Jesus really IS the most important person EVER – Life without Him is meaningless and perishing
• Contact lenses aren’t that bad, give them a try!

Do you have some life lessons, some nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to me, to us? If so, please share! Maybe they are just personal things? Maybe they are things you know will help others? Maybe you don’t know if it’s useful or not? No problem! Just share them in the comments below!

- Jonathan J.