Portuguese lessons were a perk at my preschool. Decades ago, the few words I spoke impressed my older siblings. They marveled as I grew interested in something other than my dolls and my new puppy.

I was far from fluent. But in time, my foreign vocabulary and my confidence began to grow. However, outside of the classroom there wasn’t much need for Portuguese in northwest Indiana. The memory of the language left shortly after my preschool departure.

“Use it or lose it” was one of the first life lessons I learned.

Other lessons soon followed. A few poor hairstyle choices taught me: You can learn from your mistakes.

Making tuna casserole too frequently as a newlywed convinced me: There can be too much of a good thing.

Whether it’s a new skill, a new situation or a recurring challenge, life lessons are ongoing. Every season of our lives teaches us something. Pain pinpoints our struggles. Pleasure reveals what brings us delight. Distractions lure us away from purpose.

However, if I listen to lessons taking me on a guilt trip or inviting me to a pity party, I learn how to feel unworthy, bitter or afraid.

But the value of a lesson learned is the wisdom gained to live a better life.

Even if the principle is painful, by God’s grace, it can yield a positive outcome. I’ve found it’s helpful to take inventory of what I’ve learned. It allows me to see how I’ve grown and even what I’ve resisted.

Because when I avoid life lessons they don’t go away. They tend to show up later when it’s less convenient.  However, Proverbs 19:8 NLT, offers us valuable insight and a powerful promise:

“To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.” 

I desire a deeper understanding and I cling to this promise. I hope you do too. As I took the #write31days challenge with Crystal Stine (write31days.com), I put my “life lessons” inventory out in the open. It’s my second year participating. Last year’s theme was It’s Time to FLY.  However, this year’s focus is:

“Lessons I’ve Learned About Life (so far).”

Each week I shared short posts or quotes Monday through Friday on the following topics: 

(Click on a topic to read the series’ posts.)

• Friendship (Mondays)

• Grace (Tuesdays)

• Loss (Wednesdays)

• Love (Thursdays)

• Purpose (Fridays)

Saturdays and Sundays are for pondering points from the week (or for catching up).  A few of my blogger friends dropped in and shared life lessons too. Join us and take inventory of what life has taught you. Each post also offers an encouraging life lesson and Scripture.

I’m praying God will use the lessons in this series to tutor us in what’s tough and bring healing where we need it most. I look forward to us sharing what we’ve learned and gaining more hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

Here are the 5 most popular posts in the series:

When Loss Begins to Linger

When Love Becomes Complicated

When Insecurity Is Turned Inside Out

I Love You, but…

The Enemy of Our Purpose