Life Lessons from a 4-Year-Old

What Would You Do If You Knew What Your Life Would Be like in the Future?

Monica Lehua, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jan 13, 2012 “Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here.”

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I was going through a bunch of old photos last night and stumbled upon a picture I don’t remember seeing as a kid. We didn’t have many pictures of my older brother and I as kids but this one made me think. The back of the photo said I was 4-years-old. I won’t mention the year, of course that doesn’t matter and the classic VW bug behind us, well it wasn’t a classic just yet when the photo was taken.

Reflection

In my reflection of old family photos, I seemed to be happy, carefree, what do I know at four. The smiles and funny antics my brother, cousins and I got into, I began to think, “If I knew then, what I know now, would I have wanted to live my life?” My instant answer would have been no; mainly because I would have focused on the negative things that have occurred. The pain, the sorry, the grief, disappointment, rejection… and then what four-year-old would want to live their life knowing that in three years she would have a baby brother with cerebral palsy and she would always be worried for his care. What child would want to know that before she graduates from high school her mother would suffer a debilitating stroke and never fully recover, or watch her mother struggle through the final months of her life and die at the young age of 58?

What child would think they had a bright future if they were told to enjoy all of what you have now because there will be a time that you won’t have your family, your innocence will be robbed, you will live far from the only home and family that you know and rarely see them? The disappointment surpasses many of the blessings. It can be blinding.

Do We Really Want to Know Our Future?

I thought if God allowed us to know our fate before we even began our lives, we would be depressed, angry and defeated - how many kids would commit suicide over knowing so much? How many parents would allow their child to know all that her life would hold? Would my parents not try to protect my innocence, my youth?

I believe that my parents would have begged and pleaded that such a fate would not be known to me and I would live out my life day by day so that I could grow up to keep that spirit of hope and innocence for as long as I could, knowing that my parents would love me and always be with me, even if that were not the total truth - a kid just needs a sense of security.

I think about this verse often: God knows the plans He has for me

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Intrigued by Mini-Me

All of these emotions rushed over me as I thought that God is a gracious God. Although He knows the plans and foresees all that is in our lives, He reveals only as much as He knows that we can bear. There are many times I am hesitant to move forward until I know the entire plan of action, where I’m going and how I’m going to get there. But then I must remember that 4-year-old in me. God has a plan and as a child of His, He is determined to protect me and to give me hope. He, like my parents who raised me, will give me enough information to proceed to where His will is as I seek Him first (Matt 6:33). I look upon my 4-year-old “mini-me” self and thank God that I don’t know the whole future. I would be reluctant to step outside, I would try to self-preserve and honestly, I may just do nothing because of fear of failure and hurt. My hope is in Christ. I know and now earnestly ask that the Lord reveal to me only as much as I need to take the next steps in life as He guides me.

My Prayer

Father thank you for your Holy Spirit that guides and protects. Thank you for giving me a good and gracious life. Thank you for my childhood. Thank you for loving parents who did the best they could with what they had. And most of all Lord, thank you for being my Heavenly Father and reminding me why you reveal as much as you do and that I can move forward in your will without knowing what the next 40 years will hold in this life.

Published by Monica Lehua - Featured Contributor in Travel

Monica is a writer, social media enthusiast, who enjoys traveling, food & sports. She has a BA in Communications & an MSW. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics from her work & life experience, includ…   View profile

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Enjoy discounts at Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation - good til 11/23/11

I have always enjoyed tinkering with stuff since I was a kid. The term may not be used as frequently today, what’s funny is that it is still very relevant, the definition of tinkering is: “The attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way, often to no useful effect.” The end of this definition is not always true. As I, along with many of my other “tinkering” cohorts, also known as DIY - Do It Yourself(ers), have learned from one another that we can overcome and not have to pay an arm and a leg to do some simple tasks, including opening up the once forbidden Mac/Apple products.

I’ve changed the battery on my iPod, which is not for those who still live in the time of “do not remove the label” from their pillows. We are often intimidated by the warning labels on our electronic toys that you will invalidate the warranty, yet when your device has been out of warranty for many years, what does it matter?

Some say that they will make things worse if they try to do fix something on their own, others say go ahead and chance it. I say, “Look it up online, watch several videos, read instructions, research until you are comfortable, and then go for it.”

Increasing the Memory Chips on the Black MacBook

The first step in fixing the speed in my old MacBook 13 inch was to upgrade the memory. This was long overdue as I purchased (2006) it as a backup to my ever crashing PC (which came with Windows Vista and I had to downgrade, wipe the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP).

My black, 13” MacBook only had 512 MB; it has been so slow in everything as time went on that I stopped using it, knowing it would always be there should my PC crash again.

Steve Geffrard, U.S. Boxing Team hopeful

Olympic hopeful from Boca Raton, Florida, Steve Geffrard is the #1 U.S. Amateur Heavyweight Boxer. His family is originally from Haiti, but he was born in Boston. He and his teenage mother moved to Miami, Florida, where she later abandoned him with a babysitter. He was than raised by his grandmother.

Geffrard began his love for boxing at the age of 13. Entering high school he received a scholarship to attend and board at St. Andrews School in Florida. During his senior year he began training seriously with a new coach, before and after his classes.

In 2010, Geffrard won the National Golden Gloves Championship on his first attempt after moving up to the heavyweight division. He went on to win the U.S. Men’s Senior Nationals and ranked #1 U.S. Amateur Boxer and became a part of the U.S. Boxing Traveling team.

Geffrard now lives in Boca Raton, Florida where he will continue to train and attend Nova Southeastern University, where he plans to pursue a degree in business. His goal is to make the 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, which will be held in London during the summer of 2012.

Read the entire article at Yahoo News.

Day trips are great fun for the adventurous individual, families or a group of friends who are looking to create special traveling memories together. Besides driving on your own, you can take advantage of the train system or the economical Megabus at the New York City main station.

One of the many benefits of taking a day trip from the city of New York is that it is nearby to many other historic cities. Here are five of the day trips that you can take without breaking the bank.

Historic Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia is home of many of our nation’s famous icons: the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence Hall, The Franklin Institute and of course a more recent icon, the Rocky Statue.

Valley Forge National Historic Park

1400 N. Outer Line Drive King of Prussia, PA 19406 PH: 610.783.1099

There are many things to do at the park, including: horseback riding, bird watching, hiking and biking. Guided tours and local attractions are based on the season; see their website for more information. A great place for the kids to run and play after visiting other must see sights.

Independence Hall and The Liberty Bell Center

600 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, PH: 215.965.2305

A visit to Philadelphia should include the historic view of the cracked bell. It was labeled Liberty Bell by a group trying to outlaw slavery. The inscription on the bell stated the Bible scripture, “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:10). The bell was placed on exhibition throughout the U.S. in the late 1800s to help heal the division cause by the Civil War.

Historic Baltimore, Maryland

The Maryland Historic Society

Read the entire article on the Yahoo Associated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8218221/5_historic_day_trips_from_ne…

The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro

I have attended New Hope Christian Fellowship for many years and the author, Pastor Wayne Cordeiro has written many books and made them available for all to enjoy. Often times if we were lucky as I was attending a workshop at a conference, we were given a copy of his book for free.

There aren’t too many books that have a long lasting effect as this book has been on revitalizing my commitment to daily journaling my devotions. I find that when I write my devos by handwriting vs. on the wordprocessor on my computer I edit my writing and don’t get the best affect for my spiritual life. All I need is a pen, notebook, my Bible and a reading plan. See this site for more info on How to Journal Your Devotions.

Read the entire review on my blog: http://lehuabooks.blogspot.com/#

The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro

I have attended New Hope Christian Fellowship for many years and the author, Pastor Wayne Cordeiro has written many books and made them available for all to enjoy. Often times if we were lucky as I was attending a workshop at a conference, we were given a copy of his book for free.

There aren’t too many books that have a long lasting effect as this book has been on revitalizing my commitment to daily journaling my devotions. I find that when I write my devos by handwriting vs. on the wordprocessor on my computer I edit my writing and don’t get the best affect for my spiritual life. All I need is a pen, notebook, my Bible and a reading plan. See this site for more info on How to Journal Your Devotions.

Read the entire review here on my blog - No Dust on My Bookshelf: http://lehuabooks.blogspot.com/#

The Little Red Book of Wisdom, By Mark DeMoss

This is an awesome little book, but don’t let the title fool you; it is jam packed with stories of the author’s life and the life lessons he has learned. The author, Mark DeMoss invites you into his world through the various stages of his life and how his relationship with Christ and his family have impacted him.

This is a very interesting book; I particularly enjoy hearing people’s life lessons. DeMoss’ chapter on handwritten letters created a stir in me that I need to get back to doing just that as the meaning behind a personal letter in someone’s own handwriting can never be compared with an email. DeMoss held my attention through every chapter. From the very first chapter I was captivated and started telling others that they needed to read this book.

Although you could read this book quickly, I found myself savoring my “story time” with DeMoss.

read the entire review on my blog: No Dust on My Bookshelf

The Little Red Book of Wisdom, By Mark DeMoss

The Little Red Book of Wisdom, By Mark DeMoss

This is an awesome little book, but don’t let the title fool you; it is jam packed with stories of the author’s life and the life lessons he has learned. The author, Mark DeMoss invites you into his world through the various stages of his life and how his relationship with Christ and his family have impacted him.

This is a very interesting book; I particularly enjoy hearing people’s life lessons. DeMoss’ chapter on handwritten letters created a stir in me that I need to get back to doing just that as the meaning behind a personal letter in someone’s own handwriting can never be compared with an email. DeMoss held my attention through every chapter. From the very first chapter I was captivated and started telling others that they needed to read this book.

Although you could read this book quickly, I found myself savoring my “story time” with DeMoss.

Read the entire review on my blog: No Dust on My Bookshelf

A Place Called Blessing, by John Trent – A book review

Little Josh and his two older brothers were often left to fend for themselves while their parents went out partying. They were first taken to foster care when someone reported that they were being neglected and not cared for. When Josh was five-years-old, he and his brothers were picked up and told by police, “everything was going to be alright.” That was a lie, according to Josh, that was the start of a lifetime of multiple foster homes, children’s homes and separation from his two older brothers as they were adopted but he was left behind; because of what he believed to be an accident that caused the death of another child – one that he thought no one would forgive him for and that he would be identified as unlovable and damaged forever.

This was a moving story of life’s injustice, consequences, acceptance, forgiveness of God and others. It was an easy read, I couldn’t put it down and I shared the story with others and asked them what they would have done in the same situation as a foster or adoptive parent that was looking at Josh and his brothers as children to adopt.

read that rest of this review on my blog “No Dust on My Bookshelf” at: http://lehuabooks.blogspot.com/2011/08/place-called-blessing-by-john-trent.html#