The only certainty is bad grammar

I went jogging with April yesterday.

Usually I jog alone. I don’t like pacing with another person.

It’s bad enough that I’m running and whatnot and the last thing I want is to have someone tell me I’m going too slow.

I seriously resisted this jog.

I was all, “I hate working out with you. You’re mean. I don’t want to go. You’re going to tell me I’m too slow. I really don’t want to run with you. In fact, I barely even like you.”

Straight up mean.

But I went.

April has this way about her that makes you want to be a better person whether you like it or not.

Spend the afternoon with her, and you’ll find yourself giving blood, using reusable grocery bags and taking the stairs.

It sucks until the moment it’s over and you realize you’re a contributing member of society.

So ya, I went on the stupid jog.

And I kind of liked it.

Ug.

I mean, well it was kind of nice to have someone push me a little bit, someone to hold me accountable. No stopping halfway through to walk. No breaks to catch my breath. No slowing down.

With her by my side, I did two miles.

And I think, in life we all need someone like April. To push us to keep jogging, and to keep moving forward on the right path when we want to take a break.  To help us to remember not to do too many stupid things or to get in our own way.

We need someone to hold us accountable.

So thanks April. Whether you like it or not.

Dear me,

So, 27, huh? That’s officially “late-20s” and whatnot, isn’t it? (You’re old).

It’s cool though. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve done a lot  in the last two decades plus seven years.

Sure, sure, you like to focus on the things you’ve haven’t gotten to yet, like marriage and kids and making a dent in your student loans.

But really, there’s tons to be happy about. Heck just in the last year, you went from never running a youth group to getting a paid position as a youth director. You went from 198 pounds to 147. You paid off your car. You planned and executed a mission trip to Florida. 

And you’ve fallen more in love with God, and less in hate with yourself.

 You’re getting there.

I know you spend a lot of time thinking about being confident and what that means. You dwell on how to make people believe that you think of yourself as kind of awesome. And why it’s important. And how to make yourself believe you’re kind of awesome.

It’s  not something you really need to worry about though, because God thinks you’re awesome, and that’s all that matters. And, as a wise friend told you, being confident isn’t about thinking you’re the best person in the room, it’s about not caring whether you are or not.

You’re almost there. Sometimes, during some parts of your day you ARE there. Like when you’re at church, or nailing an awesome story at work, or just purse shopping.

Also, lucky for you, there’s some amazing friends around to help you on your journey. Like Lynn, who always gives amazing, sage advice. And, April, who makes you strive to be a better person every day. And even your litle sister, who gets you (everything you) and can talk things through and point you in the right direction on all sorts of problems. Make sure you thank God for those people.

Speaking of God, I know He’s in your life. I see it everyday, and feel it every day. 

I can’t wait to find out what happens before the big two-eight.

 Love,

Crystal Sue.