But, God, is it beautiful.

I knew I was over you when I was okay with the idea of you talking to another of my best friends.
I wasn't sure that I'd ever reach this point.

The point when
my life
my emotions
my thoughts
my habits
my future
were no longer dictated and controlled by you.

But, God, is it beautiful.

Today, I thank Him for the unanswered prayers:
No matter how wonderful or how special our relationship was at one time...
God had so much more in store for me, and for you,
than we could have ever imagined all those years ago.

So, instead of harboring bitterness or anger,

I pray you seek God's will for your life,

that he leads you places you never even dreamed of.

I pray he showers blessings in your life and in your relationships.

I pray you find favor and protection on your job.

I pray that God grants you the desires of your heart.

And I pray that those desires don't lead you astray.

But if they do, I pray that at the end of the day,

you find His forgiveness and love.

And lastly, I pray you pray the same for me.

What 2011 taught me...

As the new year begins, I thought I'd share a bit of what I learned during 2011.

- People may pretend to be your friends but they may also have nothing but evil planned for your life. Be careful who you trust and who you allow into your life. You may one day regret it. But also find the genuine people and keep them close.
- Jealousy is a dangerous, ugly disease that will eat away at a person's life and completely destroy everything good in them. Never allow a person's successes or talents to cloud your vision with envy and jealousy...instead allow it to be a motivator for your own life.
- Sometimes you can mess things up so bad that they can't be restored. You can't undo mistakes and you can't force someone to forgive you...BUT, I also learned that if two people were so willing to forgive and move on and mend things, any relationship or friendship can be rebuilt...stronger than before.
- NEVER step on people when they are down...you may need them in the future when you are down and they are up. Instead push the people above you higher and reach down to help those below you up to your level.
- God will fight your battles if you allow him too...He will do a better job vindicating you than you could ever imagine doing on your own.
- You never know what people are facing in their own lives...so don't be so quick to judge. Just because they're smiling doesn't mean they are happy...Be kind to everyone, it might help.
- That boy you first loved...yeah, you'll always love him. It just may never be the right time to tell him or to act on those feelings ever again no matter how much you want to. It was a painful lesson to learn but one that was necessary. Once I began praying for God to work it out if it should be worked out, the load I was carrying got much lighter.
- My family will always be there for me. No matter what. No matter how I behave or the things that I say and do...they will love me and care for me and have my best interests at heart. No matter what path I take, they will back me one hundred percent.
- I can do all the things that people say I can't. God's given me talents and dreams, things that people can't take away from me just because they don't like it...I might take detours along the way but I'll end up exactly where He's wanted me all along.
- Love is everything. Love solves everything. Love is all that you need. Love makes the world go round. If everyone loved and loved honestly, the world would be a much better place. Love is sooo wonderful. Haha gushy and sappy but so so true. Love is powerful.

Well...here's to another year of lessons learned. Happy New Year's!