If I Knew...

This week's Thinking Outside the Box Challenge was a tough one.

The challenge reads: "Create a layout incorporating your own letter to a younger you. List the things you wish you’d known when you were younger. What wisdom have you gained? What insights do you have now? What have you learned over time? Don’t let this layout focus on recrimination or regret. Instead, let it bring reflection and thanksgiving.For a different twist, address the letter to your children. Pass on to them some of what life has taught you."

When Rebecca asked me to contribute a layout for the challenge it took me the whole two weeks to sit down and journal. I really didn't want to re-live the past but sometimes we have to to document the truth. Don't you wish you knew what you do now when you were younger?When I was going through life's storm, I knew that God would get me through, but I didn't know how or when. I created this layout for Ethan to know all the challenges I had as an adult and how God delivered me through so that one day I would be where I am right at this moment.

The journaling reads: That Nanna would have a stroke while we were away in England for the summer. That my father would leave us. That from that moment on I would never see him again. That my family would have no place to call home for several months. That I would never go to college because I had to work for my family. That I would live away from my family for ten years. That I wouldn’t celebrate a birthday with my twin for those ten years. That Grandpa would pass away from cancer. That I would marry a man who would in five years leave me and have children with someone else. That I would have to move from my home and live with a roommate. That my best friend would die in the hospital within one day. That my mother would no longer want to be in my life. That I would grow closer to God in it all. That I would find my place and calling as a teacher like I dreamed. That I begin painting once again. That my true love was always close to me without me knowing it. That the love of my life would see me working at school and want to meet me. That when the time was perfect God would open my heart to love again. That we would have a beautiful wedding that I never had before. That we would have you in our lives two years later. That it would all be worth it in the end to be where I am today… with you both.

Create Well: Reach within yourself and do this week's Thinking Outside the Box Challenge.