I could write all day warning others about what to avoid doing during your life, but as most of us who are older know, somethings you have to learn for yourself. Just as a little kid is told 'Don't touch that', we have to feel it for ourselves. Experience is often not a one time lesson, even when it should be. We often say 'Ill never do that again' and yet find ourselves in the same boat.
One of life's greatest experiences is the love of God in our personal lives. Do you learn from it and pass it on? Do you dismiss it with a sense of entitlement?
Whether good or bad, God allows our experiences to happen in order to draw us closer to Him. It is said that through the trials we endure, we will become better or bitter. Experiences are part of the Potter molding us, the clay, into what He wants us to be. Learn from your mistakes because they are the experiences meant to teach you and keep you on the right path.
This is such a good word of encouragement, Angie. How often we let our "experiences" get us down, becoming unable to learn and grow from them. I need a reminder like this now and again.
ReplyDeleteThinking about this while I was getting ready this morning. About two people I know whose experiences landed them in prison and how, even tho one is out and the other will be in the next year, their experience will affect them for the rest of their lives. If only we could think through our choices before we made them...sure would save a lot of heartache.
ReplyDeleteVery convicting. Especially the line: "Do you dismiss it with a sense of entitlement."
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Angie. How many times have I not learned from my mistakes the first time around...and have repeated them. We tend to live in the moment and do not consider the consequences to what our actions might be and how that one little "innocent...doesn't really hurt anyone" action affects our lives. If we could only learn to trust God and look forward....learn from the past but not to repeat it....we would be much better off. I guess that is why the older we get...and the more mistakes we have made...the wiser we are supposed to be. But as I have learned, we can't tell someone about the error of their ways...they must experience it. Life is a matter of choices....as is living for God. Love you, T.
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