Lessons to Remember from 2011

(These doors lead to the old sanctuary of the church that Steve and I joined about a year ago. It also represents the spot where my parents married on June 19, 1949. They wanted to be the first couple married in the new church, but the building wasn't quite finished when their wedding day rolled around. Not to be outdone, they just stood in this doorway to speak their vows, and their names were put in the cornerstone, fulfilling their wishes to be "the first.")

Today is just weird around here. The USA (a.k.a. the college football world and the Rose Parade committee) has chosen to celebrate New Year's Day on January SECOND. What's up with that? My husband is back at work while some big bowl games are on TV. We ate black-eyed peas yesterday -- certainly couldn't risk changing THAT tradition -- but the rest of the world appears to be off work and is busy consuming chips and various dips. I have gotten a good start on my 2012 Bible reading plan, and I have started filling in my shiny new calendar, but, other than that, it's a quiet, non-celebratory day around this house.

I always enjoy reflecting and planning at this time every year. It is easy to pick out BIG, significant events for our family in 2011. Baby Samuel Pearson Rodgers was born on June 18, and Steve's mom Mary Nell Pearson died on July 27. We escaped the effects of the April 27th tornados with only the inconvenience of 4 days without electricity. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on March 20. I started going to painting classes and learned a great new creative outlet. Steve cut down on his work schedule, providing himself with more free time for visiting grands and for pursuing his many non-veterinary interests. I started singing in the choir at First Baptist, Athens, and we both made many new friends within our church family. Each of the children and grandchildren grew a year older, as well as a year more precious to us. We were blessed with healthy reports from medical tests and doctors' visits (Praise the LORD!).

2011 was filled with blessings but also with frustrations, hurts, challenges and deep concerns. But, as in every previous year of my life, God has kept every one of His promises, and He's been faithful, loving and merciful.

About mid-way through 2011, Steve and I made a list of lessons we had learned -- some "the hard way" -- in very recent years, with the idea that we wanted to KEEP these lessons learned and to continue to be reminded of the negative consequences of allowing the lessons to come un-learned.

If you are smart enough to learn lessons just by hearing about them from someone else, then maybe this list can prevent some heartache and regret in your life. If you are (sadly) like me, stubborn and bull-headed, then I just hope your path to learning your own lessons won't be too painful.

1. Attitude is everything. Happiness and contentment are choices that we make.

2. Friendships provide perspective. Spend more time with friends.

3. People (grandchildren) are watching. Don't just be saved. Act saved and continue to live out your faith as long as you have the physical/mental capacity to do so. Intentionally allow God to influence your daily life.

4. Have a life. Stay interested and interesting. Keep learning new things.

5. Being proactive about health is a good thing. Medicine/doctors/hospitals can be dangerous. Make choices that will minimize the need for them.

6. Go ahead NOW and forgive anyone who has ever wronged you. Deal with anger and get over it.

7. Be generous.

8. Be grateful.

9. Be thoughtful.

10. Laugh at every opportunity. It feels so good.