28 Things I Learned in My 28th Year

I LEARNED...

1. That it's really true when people say, "At least I have my health!"

2. That eating organic isn't just trendy. It's the wise thing to do.

3. That nurses and medical staff can make all the difference in a patient's experience. If you're in this profession, I hope you realize how important you are to the whole system. A non-condescending, non-judgemental nurse is a blessing! 

4. That I should never serve coffee at an event if I don't have any creamer. (Hey, not everything I learned is deep or cancer-related!)

5.  Praying for God to "break your heart for the things that breaks His" will be time-consuming and mind-consuimg. It will be painful. But it will be worth it.
6. That my friends love me a whole, whole lot.

7. That being a Christian doesn't mean continually working on yourself. It means continually looking outward and serving others... and letting God do the work in you.

8. That a car ride with loud country music and the windows rolled down is good for the soul!

9. That physical appearance amounts to nothing. And counts for nothing.

10. That when people don't help, it's mostly because they don't know how to help.

11. That even when a person looks fine and seems to feel fine, I shouldn't assume they are fine.

12. That I sholdn't take myself so seriously.

13. That hospital gowns are infinitely ugly.

14. That chemotherapy is a fantastic diet.

15. That almost nothing will make you feel more terrified than when you can't concentrate or think straight.

16. That it's too easy to live in a bubble.

17. That I would be lost without those people in my life who feel comfortable enough to say, "Shape up!"

18. That over-commiting yourself does not equal good service.

19. That to little boys, every toy can be a gun, and every activity will end up in wrestling.

20. That, despite all the good it's doing, Tamoxifen is an evil drug that will make me a sweaty, red-faced woman for the next five years.

21. That maybe it isn't a coincidence that the idea of adopting a child was always rolling around in my head.

22. That it is really, really true that God will provide.

23. That my husband has strength and staying power (thank God!).

24. That my biggest vice is watching The Real Housewives (any and all cities) and it will always make me feel better about myself!

25. That my number one job as a parent is to produce children who love Jesus and pick up their cross daily for him. My focus should be on teaching my kids to plan for Heaven, not a big career or a big house.

26. That a relationship with Christ apart from obedience and Bible reading is empty and unpleasing to God.

27. That whether sick from chemo or sore from surgery, a dirty dish is still a dirty dish and it will always bother me! 

28. That I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13