Top 5 Lessons I learned & am still learning in my 20s

I moved to Canada for university 6 days before my 20th birthday, and today 7 years later I reflect on my 20's thus far, what I have learned and am still learning.

Lesson number 1: Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”. Moving to Canada gave me more freedom than I had ever dreamt of, LOL. I grew up with very strict parents, so I thought now I could do all the cool stuff I had missed out on. Television had made me think that cool young people went to the club on a regular, were very knowledgeable in alcohol, dressed provocatively and had large groups of friends. I tried everything on my list at least once, and I quickly learned that I was not about that life. Because I had grown up sheltered from that activity, it did not feel as awesome as I had anticipated. I began to appreciate the guidance my parents had provided, I started to see that their rules were for my own good and that they had already setup a frame for the person I would become. I think the biggest lesson I learned and am still learning is that my parents’ teaching is my foundation, and when faced with challenging situations to come back to my core and let that be my starting point. In so doing, I honor both my parents and God.

Lesson number 2: Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. As a child I was always fascinated by God; the relationship between God and man. As I grew up, I began to question my parents if I was born already “born again”, since both my parents were Christians and I had been born into the church. I reasoned that I was not likely to have a big ‘come to Jesus moment’ since I had been raised in the Faith, boy was I wrong!

Even as a teenager, I had already started to feel that there was more to being a Christian, at church we had been taught about the importance of a personal relationship with God, but now it felt more real. After moving to Canada I was very blessed to be planted in a good bible based church. Through the teaching of the word, I realized that like everyone, I was an incredibly flawed individual and I needed a one on one relationship with God in order to become more like Him. I learned that I had to seek God and choose Him for myself, get to know Him for myself; and only then would I grow into the woman I was destined to be. Developing and maintaining a relationship with Jesus is an on going process, one that I am still learning through spending time in prayer and reading the bible.

Lesson number 3: 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong”. I have heard so many theories on what good relationships and marriages are made of, and what constitutes a good balanced woman. “They” suggested some pretty convincing theories that made me question my whole foundation. For example, popular culture implicitly suggests that in order to be a well-rounded grown woman, one needs to experience many long term and short-term relationships.

However, when tested against the word of God, these theories do not hold up. I learned that though some of God’s ways might seem unreasonable, unrealistic, and even foolish to the world; He has chosen the foolish things! He is the way, the truth and the life. I have learned and am still learning that God as a good Father wants the best for us; His guidance is for our benefit. No matter how foolish His way may seem, follow through, there is a reward at the end.

Lesson number 4: Proverbs 31:17 “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks”. This post would not be complete without referring to the Proverbs 31 woman. I have listened to multiple teachings on this passage, and what really struck me is that this is not a lazy woman. She is an early riser, a hard worker who makes sure the affairs of her home are taken care of. She is a multi-tasker; she is an ace at the office and at home.

When I got this revelation, I thought ‘I want to be like this’. I am learning that spending hours on social media, and spending a full day binging on Netflix does not line up with the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman. This is an important area to continuously work on improving. This is also a challenging area to address, because one has to actively self-correct. I have been working on reading more, learning new skills (I even bought a cookbook), pushing myself to be more productive each day.

Lesson number 5: Godly women make the best role models. Nowadays reality TV stars and other celebrities are the women that are portrayed as benchmarks of beauty and success. Women of God are seldom celebrated by the world; I think as Christian women it is our duty to celebrate other Christian women. I think it’s important that we follow less secular celebrities, and instead follow and promote more Christians.

I have learned that Godly women are pretty awesome, they are much better role models. They are strong, dignified, beautiful, and on fire for God. I have been blessed to be surrounded by Godly women in my family, in my friends and in my church. 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled, Bad company corrupts good character”. What you follow and promote is your company, and it will influence you.

To sum it all up:

(1.) Be aware of the value of your foundation

(2.) Develop and maintain a personal relationship with God (3.) Make God your standard, no matter how foolish it may make you look

(4.) Be productive in every arena

(5.) Be inspired by other Godly women.

Be blessed, let’s continue to learn and grow

#lessons #gracetobeloved