The Beauty of Grace, Is It Makes Life Not Fair

Today I am surprised at my own thoughts.

I have had many personal 'taboos' over the years, and it is crazy to look back and see how my opinion has changed for each one.

When I was 13, saying a curse word in my head literally made me sick to my stomach.
Sneaking out was something I'd never attempt.
Kissing seemed wrong.
When I was 16, having sex before marriage was unfathomable.
Getting pregnant was my worst fear.
I swore abortion would never cross my mind.
When I was 18, I was afraid to move out.
I didn't want to be married.
I would have laughed at the idea of moving across the country.
When I was 19, I swore I would leave if there was infidelity.
I said I wouldn't take time off from college.
I couldn't imagine surviving a deployment.


At 20:
I curse when I drop something, burn dinner, or am surprised..
I can laugh about the times I snuck out.
I have kissed too many times.
I regret not waiting.
I've been pregnant twice.
Abortion crossed my mind when I found out I was pregnant at 17.
I've moved out.
I am married.
I live in New York.
I stayed.
I have now taken a year off.
I am almost 11 weeks into our deployment.

At 20, I have a new set of 'taboos' to fit my current life, and I'm a tad afraid seeing how all of the others have failed me at some time.

It hit me today how our beliefs and values change. They change as we age, and they sometimes change in a moment's notice when we are faced with the correct (or incorrect) variables.
I like to call these 'moments of weakness'.
Some things I could have never imagined doing, I have done. Doesn't mean they are right, and it doesn't mean they are wrong, but they didn't fit into my plan for my life.

The line between right and wrong can become quite blurred with everything we have at our fingertips today. We, as Americans, are empowered. And with great power, comes great responsibility.
But we aren't always ready for it, and even if we are, those moments of weakness can overtake us.

So, when you see someone doing something 'you would never do', don't judge them, and think twice. You NEVER know how you would react in a situation, until you are in the middle of it.

And when you have one of those moments of weakness -whether it be hurting a friend, or eating one too many pints of ice cream - don't be too hard on yourself.

The Beauty Of Grace, Is It Makes Life Not Fair