Growing Up!!!

When I was growing up I had successes my parents, teachers and those in authority cheered me on for. I had failures that they called me out on. I had misbehaviors that I was disciplined for. I had lazy times that I was kicked in the rear to inspire me. At times the negative consequences out numbered the positive ones by a lot. But out of it I learned to persevere. I learned that hard work generally pays off. I learned that I didn’t need to run on “everyone gets a participation award. I learned that I didn’t need a safe place every time I felt threatened or things didn’t go my way. I learned that there are much more talented people than me and I’m okay with that. I learned that all of us are victims but I can’t remain a victim and be successful. I learned that I deserve nothing and even hard work and talent doesn’t guarantee my ‘prize’. But contentment in all things in a necessity. I learned that who I am is based upon who God is because He designed me. I learned that I didn’t need 3 positive comments for every 1 negative. I learned that a person’s color is only skin deep, their character is rooted in who they are. I learned that giving is better than receiving. I learned that I am a dead man walking so what can mankind do to me?! I earned that what someone does to me can define me or inspire me. I learned that I must forgive people no matter what they do to me or others. I learned that whatever I do, I do for the glory of God whether I get paid or not. I learned that in God I trust, but not much with mankind. I learned that if I wouldn’t have learned these lessons I would still be a spoiled brat, self-focused, selfishly driven, shallow, superficial, entitled, victimized, shamed, depressed, inflicting my pain upon others, self righteous, indignant, lazy, whining, etc. Thank you God for placing people around me that ‘grew me up’ with expectations, accountability and that didn’t allow me to wade in my cesspool of whining and complaining when things didn’t go my way. Praise God for my ‘sheltered and privileged’ life!