When You're the Youngest
I'm really bad at telling people how much I appreciate them, especially when a goodbye is involved. I know I know, I'm overly emotional about every other aspect of my life but putting into words how much someone has meant to me is by far one of the hardest things for me to do. Hence, this blog. post.
I've had the privilege of living with four of my best friends throughout the past two years. When you're the youngest it can sometimes seem unfair. It seems unfair that they all move out and move on and I'm still the girl living at the Estroden. But I think that's when my mindset is most selfish because honestly, being the youngest is the best.(side note: totally not ready to move out and move on yet anyways, the Lord is still working here, trust me) Here's why being the youngest is the best:
I've gotten to learn things most college girls don't learn until after graduation:
I've learned that real life work and bills is way harder than college.
I've learned that your walk with The Lord won't always be surrounded by 100 other people your age striving for the same things.
I've learned sometimes walking with The Lord will seem lonely.
I've learned that christian dating relationships and engagements are hard, and aren't whats largely portrayed on social media.
I've learned the importance of praying on the bedroom floors of your best friends.
I've learned to listen more closely.
I've learned to give more graciously and selflessly.
I've learned that no one can stand before jealousy. (Proverbs 27:4)
I've learned that we're all terrible sinners.
I've learned that I'm a terrible cook and there's probably no hope.
I've learned that we all feel loved in different ways.
I've learned that friends are God's design, and oh how precious they are.
I've learned how selfish I am.
I've learned that strong women seek the Lord throughout the whole day, in quiet and solitary places.
Caroline, Katlyn, Lindsey, and Yancy.
I'm thankful for what you've taught me. And, I think it is a testament to your character that ninety nine percent of what I've learned from you came not from your words but from your actions. Caroline, you've taught me to want more of God, to not worry about others' opinions and to be spontaneous. Katlyn, you've taught me to fight sin every second of the day through scripture and through prayer, even when I feel hopeless. Lindsey, you've taught me to put others before myself, to embrace my weirdness, and to enjoy the simplest things in life. And Yancy, you've taught me to love sharing the gospel, to be okay with having girly emotions, and to always dance at a wedding.
And not to mention the things I will continue to learn from you. Let's be honest, you're all trying this whole marriage thing out before me, so I will by far have THE best marriage advice of any girl I know. Also, yall better get to having some babies ASAP cause I need "Auntie Jo" to be a thing.
Lastly, I want to thank four men who also probably do not know the monumental impact they've had on my life in the past two years.
Evan, Brandon, Melvin, and Sam.
Thank you for loving me too. Thank you for truly caring for my life. You guys have danced with me at weddings, bought me birthday gifts and birthday cards, stayed up late quizzing me for exams, had wine and ice cream with me at one in the morning, made me coffee in the morning (countless times), fed me (also countless times), and invited me on your dates. You four have taught me what hard work is, how to be disciplined, how to give selflessly, and I think most importantly... what it looks like for a man to pursue a woman like Christ pursues the church, not flawlessly but continually with confession, repentance, and rest in redemption. So Evan, Brandon, Melvin, and Sam, thank you for loving my best friends well, and for loving me too.
(ALSO, shout out to my girls for putting up with two years of the fire alarm going off, me burning chicken, ruining kitchen pans, exploding pyrex dishes throughout the kitchen, leaving my sweaty running clothes on the bathroom floor, and hoarding coffee mugs in my car. Thank you for all the grace you gave me these years together)
I've had the privilege of living with four of my best friends throughout the past two years. When you're the youngest it can sometimes seem unfair. It seems unfair that they all move out and move on and I'm still the girl living at the Estroden. But I think that's when my mindset is most selfish because honestly, being the youngest is the best.(side note: totally not ready to move out and move on yet anyways, the Lord is still working here, trust me) Here's why being the youngest is the best:
I've gotten to learn things most college girls don't learn until after graduation:
I've learned that real life work and bills is way harder than college.
I've learned that your walk with The Lord won't always be surrounded by 100 other people your age striving for the same things.
I've learned sometimes walking with The Lord will seem lonely.
I've learned that christian dating relationships and engagements are hard, and aren't whats largely portrayed on social media.
I've learned the importance of praying on the bedroom floors of your best friends.
I've learned to listen more closely.
I've learned to give more graciously and selflessly.
I've learned that no one can stand before jealousy. (Proverbs 27:4)
I've learned that we're all terrible sinners.
I've learned that I'm a terrible cook and there's probably no hope.
I've learned that we all feel loved in different ways.
I've learned that friends are God's design, and oh how precious they are.
I've learned how selfish I am.
I've learned that strong women seek the Lord throughout the whole day, in quiet and solitary places.
Caroline, Katlyn, Lindsey, and Yancy.
I'm thankful for what you've taught me. And, I think it is a testament to your character that ninety nine percent of what I've learned from you came not from your words but from your actions. Caroline, you've taught me to want more of God, to not worry about others' opinions and to be spontaneous. Katlyn, you've taught me to fight sin every second of the day through scripture and through prayer, even when I feel hopeless. Lindsey, you've taught me to put others before myself, to embrace my weirdness, and to enjoy the simplest things in life. And Yancy, you've taught me to love sharing the gospel, to be okay with having girly emotions, and to always dance at a wedding.
And not to mention the things I will continue to learn from you. Let's be honest, you're all trying this whole marriage thing out before me, so I will by far have THE best marriage advice of any girl I know. Also, yall better get to having some babies ASAP cause I need "Auntie Jo" to be a thing.
Lastly, I want to thank four men who also probably do not know the monumental impact they've had on my life in the past two years.
Evan, Brandon, Melvin, and Sam.
Thank you for loving me too. Thank you for truly caring for my life. You guys have danced with me at weddings, bought me birthday gifts and birthday cards, stayed up late quizzing me for exams, had wine and ice cream with me at one in the morning, made me coffee in the morning (countless times), fed me (also countless times), and invited me on your dates. You four have taught me what hard work is, how to be disciplined, how to give selflessly, and I think most importantly... what it looks like for a man to pursue a woman like Christ pursues the church, not flawlessly but continually with confession, repentance, and rest in redemption. So Evan, Brandon, Melvin, and Sam, thank you for loving my best friends well, and for loving me too.
(ALSO, shout out to my girls for putting up with two years of the fire alarm going off, me burning chicken, ruining kitchen pans, exploding pyrex dishes throughout the kitchen, leaving my sweaty running clothes on the bathroom floor, and hoarding coffee mugs in my car. Thank you for all the grace you gave me these years together)
So you see...
When you're the youngest, it's actually the best deal.
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