The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Proverbs 22:3 (ESV)
Prudence is wisdom applied in the present that promises to produce blessing in the future.
Have you thought about how much you owe the younger version of you? If that person made significant decisions that radically improved your chances for happiness—don’t you owe that person a debt of thanks?
I appreciate the “younger me” who heeded God’s Word and made the wise decisions that kept her safe from harm. Most importantly, she made the decision to walk toward Jesus instead of away from Him.
I also thank “younger me” for accepting an invitation from Donna Mills to live with her in an apartment in Van Nuys, CA, in 1967. That decision provided an opportunity to attend Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California which was pastored by a vibrant, young John MacArthur. It was there she learned the Bible had powerful truths that she could apply to her life!
I thank “younger me” for noticing a young man named Darryl DelHousaye who said, “I don’t want to follow any man, I want to follow Jesus Christ.” I can thank her for accepting his proposal of marriage and for her challenging work of designing a comfortable home for him and their two sons. One of her greatest joys today has been watching two boys grow into godly men, husbands, fathers, and leaders!
I thank “younger me” for opening her heart to the fate of women alone at church in the 1990’s and serving them on Sunday mornings. That decision gave her the opportunity to nurture the leadership of the Women of Substance class which also provided the groundwork for the mentoring material called SoulWork she still uses today!
I thank “younger me” for the decision to work for the University of Arizona for five years to sharpen her skills and develop her ability to write. I deeply appreciate that she decided to take the time to write many versions of “I’ve been thinking…” that have captured and recorded for all time her random thoughts over the years.
Her choices have given me the blessed life I enjoy so much today!