Jun

19

I used to Be

Post Category: Authenticity, Blog Posts 

I used to be...
I used to be lonely and single.
Now I’m married to the most amazing girl in the world.

I used to be home schooled (for 6 years).
Now I’m new school (with a little old school too).

I used to be legalistic.
Now I’m liberated by grace.

I used to wonder what my kids would look like.
Now I wonder what their kids will look like.

I used to be a Youth Pastor.
Now I’m a church planter disguised as a graphic designer.

I used to live in Lapeer, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Now I’m living in a hotel in Indianapolis.

I used to think I was a geek.
Then I started this blog and now I KNOW I am.

I used to text.
Now I Twitter.

I used to wander aimlessly around the Internet.
Now I get to hang out with all of you!

I used to wonder what what I was going to be when I grew up.
I still do.

What did you used to be?

Comments

26 Responses to “I used to Be”

  1. Mud Puppy on June 19th, 2008 11:28 am

    I used to wear dress socks.

    Now I don’t.

    Mud Puppys last blog post..New Orleans Critique Part 1

  2. GregQualls' on June 19th, 2008 11:47 am

    I use to get to sleep all night…
    Now I get to wake up ever four hours.

    I use to get to go out any time I wanted…
    Now I have to make plans two weeks in advance.

    I use to not know how to swaddle, store breast milk, and change a diaper while a baby is screaming at 110 decibels…
    Now I could write a book titled, “The General care and Maintenance of a New Born - A How To Guide for First-Time Fathers” (Holy Crap that’s a good idea….Copyright Greg Qualls 2008)

    I use to be broken down, hopeless, and empty…
    Now I’m sustained by the only One who can.

    GregQualls’s last blog post..When should a Christian not drink beer?

  3. Brad Ruggles on June 19th, 2008 11:55 am

    @MudPuppy - Hmmm…interesting thought. No dress socks? You’ve got me thinking…

    @GregQualls - That is an AWESOME list! Trust me, you’ll have at least 389 more things to add to it 3 months from now. :-)

  4. CJ Mills on June 19th, 2008 11:56 am

    I love this post bro - the simplicity of it are what makes it great.

    CJ Millss last blog post..What Went Down Today - Guest Post From My Wife

  5. CJ Mills on June 19th, 2008 11:57 am

    *correction - “the simplicity of it IS what makes it great”….any school teachers around? if so, I’m in TROUBLE!

    CJ Millss last blog post..What Went Down Today - Guest Post From My Wife

  6. Nick on June 19th, 2008 12:43 pm

    I used to think I knew what love was.
    *Now I know what it is, Jesus, my wife of 7 years, my 2 sons, and my daughter on the way.

    I used to say I didn’t want kids until I was married for 5 years.
    *Now I am happy God had other plans.

    I used to hate reading.
    *Now I love it!

    I used to hope, wish, pray, and promise that I didn’t become like my dad.
    *Now I call him constantly for advice!

    I used to be legalistic too.
    *Now I am so thankful I am set free, but my wife still reminds me of my foolishness!

    I used to think I knew more than I did.
    *Now I realize I knew nothing and I still do not.

  7. Brad Ruggles on June 19th, 2008 12:48 pm

    @Nick - Another great list. Awesome.

    This is quickly shaping up to be one of my favorite posts.

  8. transitionpete on June 19th, 2008 12:52 pm

    great post, brad!

    * is used to think i’d miss out on cool people and blogs if i wasn’t online…

    aw, heck! I STILL DO!

    ;-)
    transitionpetes last blog post..cover tune grab bag

  9. Dean Craig on June 19th, 2008 12:54 pm

    I used to hold grudges.
    Now I know the only person that hurts is me.

    I used to think I was smart.
    Now I know the foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans.

    Dean Craigs last blog post..options of distraction

  10. Jad on June 19th, 2008 1:33 pm

    Awesome post:

    I used to frequently get “way overserved”.
    *Now I only get “overserved” occassionally.

    I used to be a golf course superintendent.
    *Now I’m a lawyer.

    I used to be very legalistic as well.
    *Now I understand the importance of not being that way.

    I used to want the largest truck in production.
    *Now I want a Vespa.

    I used to dream of having a beautiful family.
    *Now this is coming true.

    I used to have REALLY long hair.
    *Now I have REALLY short hair.

    I used to pick my nose in public.
    *Wait um….

  11. nate on June 19th, 2008 1:51 pm

    I used to know it all,
    Now I just have a bunch of questions

    I used to hit up bars and clubs every weekend,
    Now I watch pixar films with the kids

    I used to eat red meat every day,
    now I eat whatever is on sale

    I used to want to be in an indie rock band
    I still do

    I used to be a beer snob
    Now a cold miller light wets my whistle just fine (although I’d prefer the snobby stuff still)

    I used to want to know all there was to know about God,
    I still do somewhat, but I am happy just knowing he knows me

    I used to want a hot blonde wife
    I still do when I am at work and she is at home

  12. Mud Puppy on June 19th, 2008 2:08 pm

    I used to be a hard-core right-wing republican.

    Now… not so much.

    ps. I too love this post, including the great image!

    Mud Puppys last blog post..New Orleans Critique Part 1

  13. Brad Ruggles on June 19th, 2008 2:18 pm

    @DeanCraig - So true.

    @Jad - I’m with you on the Vespa! Oh, and remind me to check your hand for boogers next time I shake it.

    @Nate - Pixar films with the kids…how time change, huh? Oh, and the switch from good beers to Miller Light…that may be one “I used to” that you need to switch back to

    @MudPuppy - Me too man, me too.

  14. pollyh on June 19th, 2008 2:32 pm

    I used to weigh 555 1/4 pounds.
    Now I’m under 200.

    I used to never want kids.
    Now I am trying to adopt.

    I used to want to stay single forever.
    Now I am married to a man that I could have only dreamed about. I didn’t settle!

    I used to want to be a nurse.
    Did it, and now I’m in law school.

    I used to ride a fence.
    Now I am falling off.

    I used to be totally independent.
    Now I am learning the definition of dependence.

    I said I would never blog.
    Never I have one and love reading others too.

    pollyhs last blog post..It’s My Blog so I can Say What I Want!

  15. Daniel on June 19th, 2008 2:48 pm

    I used to be single.
    Now I’m married and have a kid.

    I used to be legalistic and proud.
    Now my wife and I are learning about grace.

    I used to be a chalk artist and musician.
    Now I’m waiting for God to show me what to do next.

    I used to blog.
    Now I twitter. :)

    I used to be a politically opinionated right-winger.
    Now I’m a moderate peace-lover.

    Daniels last blog post..I hereby declare the digital television transition a success

  16. juliepersinger on June 19th, 2008 3:12 pm

    I used to be a homeschooler (my junior & senior years)…now I’m a homeschool mom.

    juliepersingers last blog post..Knitting and a Thought

  17. patrowland on June 19th, 2008 3:40 pm

    I used to wear women’s clothes

  18. Brad Ruggles on June 19th, 2008 3:48 pm

    @patrowland - That explains a lot

  19. pollyh on June 19th, 2008 4:42 pm

    @patrowland that explains a WHOLE lot:-)
    Care to expound?

    pollyhs last blog post..It’s My Blog so I can Say What I Want!

  20. nick on June 19th, 2008 4:49 pm

    I used to not know who Brad Ruggles was.

    Now, I am posting on his blog.

    nicks last blog post..Your own social network

  21. spatulahandle on June 20th, 2008 1:31 am

    I used to never be able to picture myself with children, now I couldn’t imagine life without them.

    I used to be quiet and shy and let people walk all over me, now I am not afraid to speak up and let people know how I feel.

    I used to buy bread in the store, now I make my own, it tastes…soooooo good!

    I used to wonder if I would ever find a nice guy and my mom told me I needed to be patient, now my last name is Patience…really it is!

    I used to worry so much I would give myself anxiety attacks, now I have learned to put my trust in God and that he is in control.

    I used to be allergic to cats, now I am not.

    I used to hate the color orange, now it’s my favorite.

    spatulahandles last blog post..Quotes for “The Memorial Book”

  22. Mandy on June 20th, 2008 9:52 am

    I used to spend all my money on expensive clothes
    *Now I save…3 daughters, 3 weddings =/

    I used to have a great body to wear such clothes
    *Now I don’t…3 daughters

    I used to dance. Nonstop. Ballet, tap, ballroom, cheer.
    *Now I can’t afford it (see above)

    I used try and get signatures on documents to have “In God we Trust” removed from our money.
    *Now I want signatures in the Book of Life

    I used to be cool
    *Now, I’m cool to my kids

    Mandys last blog post..Family night.

  23. Nate on June 20th, 2008 11:34 am

    i used to wander through life aimlessly
    now i makes plans and stick to them

    i used to be 19 with 1 kid
    now i am 26 with 5

    i used to be ok with debt
    now i hate it and am working to get out

    i used to be homeschooled (for 3 years)
    now i homeschool my own kids

    i used to think it was all about the rules
    now i’m trying to learn that it’s all about the grace and freedom

    Nates last blog post..Stats Stink* Sunday

  24. Laura Carney on June 20th, 2008 3:19 pm

    (Here I am :)

    I used to be a career-woman,
    now I’m a stay-at-home-mom.

    I used to be a myspacer,
    now I’m a blogger.

    I used to spend Madalyn’s naps doing useful things, like cleaning,
    now I blog.

    I use to take for granted the time we had together as a family,
    now I cherish every moment.

    Laura Carneys last blog post..OUTRAGEOUSLY BUSY FRIDAY!

  25. Michelle on June 20th, 2008 5:11 pm

    I used to be a homeschooling mom…
    now I’m a blogger while they’re in school.

    I used to teach Bible studies at church and in the neighborhood…
    now I teach the Bible online.

    I used to be a workaholic…
    now I rest most of the day (due to illness not laziness).

    I used to be proud and legalistic…
    now I’m being humbled and learning about grace.

    Oh, and I love your blog!!!

    Michelles last blog post..The Fact Remains

  26. ryan guard on June 22nd, 2008 7:00 pm

    Great idea for a post.

    I used to be a “high school director”, but now I’m a “high school pastor”… but I do the exact same thing as when I was a director.

    Church hierarchies are funny :)
    ryan guards last blog post..almost settled

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