As I rapidly approach my 29th birthday, I am confident in this: I have learned what qualifies in my life as “Important”. My good friend Kenny Rogers wrote a song a while back that I think will help me get my thoughts out there.
You gotta know when to hold ’em.
The things worth holding onto in life are
Healthy relationships-:People are everything. Things are great but temporary. Love lasts forever. Relationships take work but we need OUR PEOPLE to laugh with, cry with, celebrate with, and turn to in times of need.
Faith: Without it, I’d be a wreck. Seriously. God has showed himself to me so many times and I’m so thankful for it because I’m hardheaded and self-destructive by nature. Only through Him am I able to love and live well. (Still growing in this area, but miles from where I started).
Dreams/Goals: Having direction is key. Find out what you were born to do and DO it. Take baby steps if you have to, but don’t settle for what has happened to you. You have to happen to your own life if you want anything to change.
Know when to fold ’em
Let it go: Take stock of what really isn’t adding anything of value to your life. For me, some examples been excess spending, twisted media that puts garbage in my head, people who don’t respond to attempts at continued friendship, men who are dumb enough to not see how amazing I am..if it isn’t working, dump the baggage (and bless the people who are headed in a different direction) and walk freely towards the good things your hands are now free to accept.
Know when to walk away
Sometimes we want something so bad, we try to make it work even when it clearly isn’t going to. This, for me, has been a man issue. I ( briefly) dated three great guys last year, but there was always something or other that just wasn’t IT. Although I do want a relationship, I will not stay with someone just to avoid being alone. This could also apply to a church situation (and boy, has it), a decision to move away, a job change, etc. Be true to what will honor God and bring you joy.
Know when to run
Get out! Any abusive (physical, emotional, or verbal) relationship should NOT continue. I was engaged to a man I thought was the love of my life when I was 20 years old, but the alcoholism and verbal abuse eventually turn into physical abuse. By the grace of God (I was not a Christian at the time), I got out (and moved out) the first time it happened. While love and forgiveness are crucial to the Christian life, if you are in a relationship or friendship that is causing you constant fear, anxiety, or distress, RUN. Everyone has their own reasons for staying in a bad relationship, but is trying to help that person or not being alone worth sacrificing the rest of your life to a crappy existence? Hell, no. Sorry, but it makes me angry. You are worth so much more and an abusive person needs help that you can’t give them. God alone can change a heart. Not you. Pray for them, be kind, but do not allow the abuse to continue.

You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table
Um..it’s bad manners to count money in front of people unless you’re a bank teller. Duh.

There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done

Don’t count yourself out just because other people seem to have it more together than you do. I am notorious for doing this about once a month. My life is not over yet, and you never know what people are dealing with or what the  future holds for any of us this side of heaven. Give it your all, give Him your all, and let Him measure your life. I know I am going to live a whole lot differently than I would have if I hadn’t let Jesus in. True story.

Ok, peeps. I love ya and I hope you have a great week.
                  Ang