When I went searching for a photo to use in this post, I wasn’t looking for anything specific. Just a generic nature-y picture or a basic office-y photo.
Then I found a picture of a pineapple sitting in the grass.
Just last week, Mark and I got into a debate about how pineapples grow. One of us was certain they grow in the ground, and the other just knew they grow on trees. I felt pretty dumb when I looked it up on Wikipedia and realized he was right.
Oops.
So I laughed when I saw this photo – and really wanted to use it without no explanation. Kind of like how the pineapple incident was never properly explained in How I Met Your Mother or how the presence of a pineapple in every episode of Psych was never really explained either. But what if you didn’t get it? What if you assumed it was a weird picture for no reason, not an obscure reference to a couple of TV shows?
I just couldn’t do it. I wasn’t brave enough.
SO ANYWAY.
As I looked at my list of possible #notsorry topics for this week (the last week of the 31 Days series!), I realized that in these last few posts I want to make sure I’m writing about the things you’re most interested in, the things you struggle with most, the ones that really get you going and fire you up.
Today I’m asking you:
What are YOU not sorry for? What do you want to stop being sorry for?
This post is part of the 31 Days Writing Challenge. To read all the posts in this series, click here. And to learn more about this challenge or to find more series to read, visit Write31Days.com. Apple photos courtesy of my brother, James.
I’m not sorry for how God made me, very emotional. At least I’m learning to embrace God and myself. Doesn’t mean I don’t still have areas He is still growing and changing me. Yesterday was a sort of breakthrough for me. A friend called asking for prayer and I was able to tell them what the Lord has been trying to show me all my life. God’s grace is truly amazing! It’s not all up to me to get myself good enough or earn God’s favor, acceptance, and love. That’s what Jesus did for me! Yay! Thank you, Jesus!
Also, He showed me He has a reason for me being in a season of isolation. Because I have a lifelong pattern of making idols of other humans, He had to strip everyone and everything away so I could only have Him! I understand God doesn’t owe me any explanation. He loves and accepts me just as I am. He alone knows what I need and how I’ll finally be able to grasp and receive His love and plans for me. He is for me, and always has been! But I’m very excited to see a glimpse of light and life at the end of this dark tunnel I’ve been in for almost 4 years!
Thank you for your posts! ♡
I’m so glad you are feeling encouraged today and seeing some light and life! Thank you for sharing your heart and a bit of your journey with us here!
I have a very “prickly relative” who likes to get his way. I’ve learned over the years that I can’t make this person happy, so I just gave up trying. More than once this year, I’ve found myself calmly saying, “I’m not sorry for making a decision that works for my family, even if it’s disappointing to you.”
I also don’t drink coffee (and I’m a Cuban). This seems to drive some people crazy. I like tea and pepsi and lemonade. No apologies.
You know, Lyli, that’s a healthy perspective and i sooooo appreciate it being the middle-child-people-pleaser.
Lyli, it is incredible that you’ve drawn that boundary and refuse to apologize for what works for your family. (Also, I don’t like coffee either. I mean, I’m not Cuban, but I’m a mom and it seems like all moms are supposed to love coffee these days!)
I’m not sorry I married young, had babies young, home schooled my kids and adopted. I’m not sorry I never went to college or had a career. I’m also not sorry I let my hair grow out silver last year.
Alyssa, I love your list. Thank you for sharing this with us!
I am not sorry I stayed home and took care of myself this morning. I am still working on not being sorry when I am sick and miss work. I have chronic migraines and I go to work everyday its possible, but it is becoming less possible this month. My boss is very understanding, but it is still hard for me to say I am sick and I need to take care of me. Strange culture we live in where work is our highest priority….
Lina, I hope you are feeling better now. I’m glad you stayed home and took care of yourself!
Ok, here goes. I’m not sorry I’m not using my hard-earned law degree right now. I litigated for 8 years and LOVED it, but I so wanted to be home full time. We took a huge leap. After my husband died, and now as a single mom, I often feel like I *should* be back working as an attorney. Maybe that’s in the future, but for now, I’m writing and I’m not sorry I’ve taken this huge leap.
Great series, Mary. We should have the peace to say “I’m not sorry” when it’s appropriate and stop apologizing for what we think others think we should be doing.
I love how you said “right now.” Learning about seasons has been the biggest grace-gift for me. Also? Lisa, you inspire me so much.
I’m not sorry when my kids misbehave. There — I said it. I *am* a good mom who has raised good kids, who sometimes make bad decisions. It doesn’t mean I am a bad parent and should feel guilty and horrible every time my kids make a blunder.
There, you said it. Yay! And YES for not letting your kids’ mistakes drive you to [unnecessary] apologies. Smart mama! :)