Happy Thursday, friends! I wish my words could adequately express what your kindness means to me. So many of you reached out to me yesterday, both here, on socials, or in texts, and you have no idea what that means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear friends. Thank you for the words that you shared with me, but thank you for your prayers. I feel them with every breath, and I am grateful for all of you.
Guess what? Today is a new day! Every morning when I wake up, I tell the Lord good morning, and I thank Him for the new day. To me a new day equals God's new mercies. This is from a passage in Scripture that I love, Lamentations 3: 22-26. This just means that each and every day, we get a brand new start. If God can extend new mercies each day, then so can I. So, because yesterday's post ended on such a sad note, I'm here to share some reasons why I love my life right now. I hope you enjoy this!
- I don't really have to answer to anyone or give an account to anyone other than myself. It's my house, my life, my rules. I answer only to the Lord Jesus.
- I know myself better. I don't have to guess at who I am anymore. I've lived, loved, learned, and I bring that wisdom into every choice I make.
- I get to make decisions based on peace, not pressure. I get to do what feels right, and not what's expected of me.
- I am as free as a bird! I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. If I want to eat dinner on the couch every night while watching TV, then guess what? I will!
- I get to rediscover passions I didn't have time for earlier. I get to read, write, travel, deepen my faith, and pour into friendships all I want to. I won't get blamed for anything.
- I don't have to cook to please anyone anymore. I can make whatever I want to! I can use all the celery and mushrooms I want, because nobody is here to tell me otherwise.
- I get to sleep in the middle of my bed!
- I can be messy and not feel bad about it.
- I get to be more intentional with my friendships. They feel deeper; dating is more meaningful. I'm not looking for anyone to complete me, and I'm not depending on anyone for my own contentment. I have all of that on my own!
- I can be a neat freak and it'll stay clean for days on end!
- I get to cultivate independence in a beautiful way. I have confidence from managing my own life well for the last year. I get to learn that I am fully capable.
- I don't get made fun of for liking Hallmark movies anymore.
- If I want to go out of town with Chris, he'll go out of town with me, no questions asked.
- I have room to build a life I want: one filled with decor that I love, schedules, hobbies, and routines...and anything else that brings me joy.
- I get to travel with friends or I can go solo. I found out last November how much I love traveling alone! I went to see Noah in McKinney (near Dallas), and I loved staying in a hotel by myself. It was amazing!
- I love the freedom I have to plan the trips I want to take. I have a few coming up, but I'm leaving room in my calendar for more! Nothing brings me greater joy than booking my own airline tickets.
- I don't have to pretend to think men are the greater sex.
- I get to listen to my co-workers complain about their husbands and feel a little victory inside over the fact that I'm so glad I'm no longer married. I loved being married, don't get me wrong, but now that I'm not? I can't explain the feeling I have over this now, because I don't miss it nearly as much as I thought I would.
- I recognize narcissists more easily now and know enough at this point to steer clear of them!
- I get to decide on what thing I get to buy for my sons, and if I want to, I get to spoil them from time to time.
- I don't have to listen to the TV at a stupid volume that kills my ears.
These are all wonderful reasons to love your life! I am definitely the stubborn/feisty one in our relationship. Thankfully Ben is rather laid back.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Even the silly ones are life giving, honestly. I didn't realize how much joy I had sucked out of me while I was married. Not everyday was like that, though...but when it became that way, it wasn't easy. I love that you're the feisty one!
DeleteYassss, girl! Those are some beautiful things! I always said that everyone should live alone before getting married. It's like you are kinda doing that now. I meant it for the independence and confidence reasons!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think so too. I agree about that! I never had the chance since I got married so young. It feels exactly like I'm living that life now, and I am here for it all! It makes sense, and it's great advice, honestly.
DeleteThat pink door is SO YOU - I am kinda jealous ;) It is bright and joyful and full of love! I loved this list- enjoy it all- you deserve this and more!
ReplyDeleteIt really is me. I know it's not for everyone, but I love it for me! Thank you for your kind words, my friend.
DeleteThis post mean’s so much having “lived“ through your ups and downs these last 18 months :). I don’t know that my mother ever felt the way you do when her marriage ended after 19 years but that’s really the only other experience I have in my life of watching a woman transition from full-time wife to “figuring it out“. I know you know you’ve done an amazing job! I think those feelings you have about your ex-husband’s soon-to-be wife are valid and normal. My mother never made us feel “bad“ about allowing my dad‘s new wife to be a part of our lives. As an adult, I’m extremely grateful for that. She (the wife) was only around for about 10 years and made us dislike her all on her own. You will get through this too, you know you will :) Keep looking ahead Friend!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of this! I hate that your mom never felt like this when her marriage ended; I honestly didn't think I would either, but here I am. I went through a lot of counseling at the beginning (I'd like some more, honestly), so I think that she was instrumental in helping me put all my thoughts and emotions into what my marriage was really like. I honestly thought it was healthy at the time, but it wasn't at all. I have just realized a whole lot.
DeleteI don't want to make my kids feel bad about them accepting her as a new part of their lives, but I fear that I do that sometimes. I need to work on not transferring what I feel over to them, but that is SOOO hard. I honestly don't WANT them to be around her, even, but I know it's inevitable if they want a relationship with their dad, which they do. And I want them to have that, too...but it's such a fine line of something healthy versus lines being crossed. I am confident that certain feelings will fade as time marches on, and that I won't always feel like this. I trust God with this, but it's still hard. Again...thank you so much for the encouragement and kindness.
I am glad that you are loving life and the stage that you are in. I feel like every stage/circumstance has its challenges. Just this morning Donnie and I were disagreeing about something (it was minor, thankfully). Disagreements are inevitable; Donnie is the best person to disagree with as he bears zero grudges. But still conflict is not fun in the moment. So I am glad you are spared that in your day to day!! You seem to be able to really count your blessings and I love that.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right; every stage of life has its challenges. Marriage is hard! Divorce is hard, too. Thanks for your sweet words, friend.
DeleteYou are loved Jenn and I have been thinking of you. Today is a new day and reading why you love your life did make me smile.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim!
DeleteI went back and read your previous post, and I am sending a virtual hug, my friend. And now, after reading this post, I give you a virtual High Five and am filled with happiness for you. Your enthusiasm for life is infectious.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend. I always appreciate your kindness!
DeleteNarcissism seems to be a trend coming out of the spread of social media, me first and to hell with everyone else.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right!
DeleteI love that you've found this place, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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