HAPPY ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY TO...

It feels funny to make a big deal over something that I created & that I administer... but, today I am making a big deal of AND celebrating the ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY of the stuckinindiana Facebook page! 

It's kind of a dream come true -- in that I finally feel that I have a forum for communicating with so many more people than just my small circle of friends. And, "the world" might not look at what I share. But, at least it's out there in a very accessible format and location.

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old, #2 The World Doesn't Owe Me

About 10-15 years ago, a few things began to really "get under my skin" about a dear, cherished, beloved relative. I pondered those things & came to the abrupt conclusion that I too could easily slip into similar and perhaps the exact (gasp) behaviors. It was at that time that I began a new file entitled, "Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old".

About 2-3 times each year, I send the file to a few "sister friends" in the hopes that they will NOT let me edit the entries as I get older to suit my fancy. I began with the first entry & will add others throughout the coming months, years, whatever :)

I began the file with a note to read each time I open it...

Dear "Old" Caitlyn,
As you continue to get "older", please DON’T FORGET the following these guidelines from the ...
"Young" Caitlyn

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old - Entry #2   The world doesn’t OWE me! We all suffer injustices & should NOT expect to be compensated for those the rest of our life. What am I saying? Try NOT to act as if the world owes you – because of all the sacrifices you’ve made in life or because of all the unfair things you've experienced. LIFE AIN’T FAIR. How many times have we said those words to our kids as they grow up & encounter unfairness, hardships, persecution?? What gives us the right to "get back at the world" when we are older.

KEEP REMINDING YOURSELF...  eternity with God is much closer than it ever was. Heaven isn’t necessarily "fair" either-- we get to heaven based upon Christ’s sacrifice - not our good. It’s much more than we could ever imagine, hope, and dream!! The hardships & injustices we endure here make us better & stronger -- fitting right into God's plan!  They equip us to help others with their struggles... not make it so they must pay us for our struggles. Yes, Old Caitlyn, remember... the world does NOT owe you.

Scripture of the Day: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen 50:20 (what Joseph said to his brothers after their terrible treatment of him)

FORMER POST IN THIS "SERIES"

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #1 - Sleep Around

Parenting is NOT for the Faint of Heart!

In our adult Sunday School class a few years back, one of the couples (parents of 3 children) were beginning the summer after their oldest child's first year in college. She was coming in late, being noisy, not reporting where she was, requesting QUIET in the morning hours, and more! I remember my husband & I "giving them advice". While doing that, I was silently wondering what will we actually "do" if we faced that!!

I guess we learned that when our oldest came home after freshman year of college. When we began experiencing the same things our friends had told us about all those years ago, the LOML and I recounted the "advice" we'd given to our friends. We'd said something like this...