Investment Advice For A Younger Me

I recently came to the realization (and regret) that I wasted a lot of my life.

As a younger girl, I could have been a force for You, Jesus, a warrior for Your Kingdom. I could have done so much for people, I could have loved so well.

I had so much time before I became a wife and age 25 and certainly before I became a mother at age 27. 25 years! A quarter of a century! Obviously, much of that was innocent, blissful childhood.

But Jesus, You did more in 3 years than I have done my entire life.

What a waste. I was full of the world in my younger years - selfish, and void of strategy. I was just wandering around without vision and direction. I knew You, I loved You, and yet, I didn't follow You, didn't abide in You.

Oh the lives I could have sewn into; the love I could have given; the confidence I could have had and the investments I could have made!

When I thought about this the other day, I actually had to sit and cry about it for a moment. My heart grieves for the loss of this time. My heart hurts for those who were waiting on the other side of my obedience.

I really wish I had done better.

Then I see You smile.

It's so hard to receive in these moments, but I know you have so much more for us now! It's not over, and You have plans to use my shortcomings for Your glory. I'm ready now, Lord. I'm open now. I'm busy, my family is busy, but we are Yours.

Show us how to live for You and serve You, starting in our own home, and then radiating out into our community and Your world.

Show us people who need love, who need You, Jesus.

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So now speaking to a younger me, to me today - to you, whatever age you are reading this.

My advice to us both is INVEST. Here are the 4 pillars of investing that I am prayerfully trying to implement in my life. I hope this can inspire you too:

1. Invest in your relationship with your Creator.

Spend time getting to know His heart and character

• Through His word.

• Through worship.

• Sitting in His peaceful, loving presence.

Allow Him to tell you who you are, who He created you to be - and write down what He reveals to your heart about your identity. Keep this somewhere safe and refer back to it often. You will go through seasons in which it is easy to forget this truth.

2. Invest in your people.

Be present with your loved ones.

• Really listen and really love without expecting anything in return.

• Build strong, meaningful friendships.

• Allow yourself to be open and vulnerable and known for who you really are.

Pray for your husband and be walking in expectation for God to provide. Choose the one who knows what you wrote down in step 1. Not because he read it, but because he sought God to find out who you are. Continue to seek Jesus to reveal your hearts to one another...for the rest of your lives. He always helps us communicate better than we can on our own.

3. Invest in your community.

Seek out organizations locally that support what you believe in.

• Volunteer.

• Mentor.

• Share your heart, gifts and talents.

In doing this, you will make your world a better place. You will change the lives of those around you - ultimately enabling others to step up and do the same, sowing into a culture of honor and spreading it far and wide.

4. Invest your money.

Sow into your church, give back to God's kingdom, thankful that He provides your paycheck. Everything we have is His. When we give back to His kingdom, we are showing Him that we trust in Him more than the currency of this world. He honors and blesses this and He loves a cheerful giver. If you are not sure what you should give, as in all things, just ask Him. He will reveal what your heart needs to know.

Study and research personal finance. Make your hard earned dollars work for you and not the other way around. Set aside something from every paycheck and diversify your portfolio.

• I personally use Robinhood for investing in the stock market.

• Purchasing a house is another great way to invest.

• If you know someone with a small business, you could ask if they need a micro investor for a small share of their profits. It could be a few years before they are profitable, but if you believe in what they are doing, it will pay off.

• Acorns is an example of a good way to auto-invest.

• Banks have a variety of investment products as well.

• There are lots and lots of options out there, just start googling and see what is a good fit for your goals.

The bottom line is, don't be like me. Invest when you are young and by the time you are in your thirties, you will be well on your way.

And for those of us who are already getting on later in life, God is faithful. My life is amazing, we are so blessed in so many ways. Sure, I wish I would have made better decisions, but every decision has led me to this moment and it is beautiful.

Jesus has loved me every step of the way, even when I didn't know it and certainly when I didn't deserve it.

There are always going to be tough decisions, and times when we don't realize we are on the wrong track. He is kind and gentle and He will always guide us back when we seek Him.