I recently received this letter in the mail from one of my friends’ parents. I LOVED it! Read on...... I got to thinking, what if every girl, every teen, had the opportunity to receive a letter like that?! What if I had the opportunity to write it? What would I say? If I could put my heart into a letter, what would it say? Well, I’m still at a loss of words for that one. Around 9-10 years ago, in 2003/2004, I was 9 years old. Yes, this is me then. What if I were to write a letter to a ‘younger self’? What would I have needed to hear at that time? What if I were to look into the eyes of that little girl, and tell her everything shoe would face. (Maybe this is why God doesn't tell us our future in advance). Such would be painfully awkward to write, but the thought brought back floods of memories I thought I could forget. Running across my old journal the other day, I read it, re-read it, and read it again; bringing myself back to that time. From the day I turned 9, to the year I turned twelve, fourteen, seventeen, and all other moments combined. Reading those books, transported me back to when I was eleven, and twelve,.... and then I stayed there for the longest time. I was reminded so vividly of what all those years held, and what that little girl would face in the years to come. Maybe someday I will share some sections, that is if I can make them out... I have always hated my handwriting, but it’s WAY better than when I was 9!!!! However, for now, I will share a slightly edited version of the letter I sent to this sweet young lady. I will make no extra comment.
__________________________ I take it as a great honor to be counted as one who has such a place in your life. The opportunity to share my heart with you this way is such a blessing. As I have struggled over how to put everything into words, I have been encouraged and taught myself. As I realize, the only encouragement and wisdom I may impart to you is what I have already learned myself. I am a few years older than you and it does cause me to be aware of some things you may go through in the next few years. I tend to have this picture in my head of the perfect family, the perfect life, the perfect home, the perfect everything. I often find myself focused on finding it, so much that it drowns out what I do have. God has given you the perfect family and the perfect life for you, as He has for me. Focus on what you do have. It’s easy to complain and be critical with what you have, but fight that urge. If you don’t have what you feel you need, the Lord is there too fill that space in your life. He will help you through every struggle you will ever face. Problems in life will come, but you will never be the only one who is hurting. The more I grow, the more I’m convinced of that fact. Everyone has problems. Everyone has burdens they bear. Each one, I am learning, has been specially prepared for them. Some burdens are more public than others, but they’re burdens all the same. And each one, is a big deal to the one going through it, thus, it’s a big deal to our Father. So, for one, be sensitive to those around you, and what they’re facing that you are not aware of. Everyone is fighting a battle. And you never know who is going through something really tough. One word said in haste, one action without thought, could push them over the edge. And second, accept the burdens God places in your life. Easier said than done, I know. There are some things you can only learn while under the pressure and heat of the trial. There are things the Lord wants to teach you, that you have no knowledge of, that you may only learn through such a struggle. Each trial is precious lesson, allowed, sent and prepared for you by God Himself. We rarely understand why, but He does, and that’s all that matters. Our place is not to understand WHY,but to trust. Instead of asking Him, “Let this cup pass”; “take this way”, maybe we should pray, “Not mine, but Thine”. If we could see why we are going through what we face... the lesson learned, the reward and blessings to follow would be too precious, we wouldn’t pass it up. We will come out the other side stronger, and closer to Him. That, I believe, is worth it. We simply have to trust Him. Through the silence, and darkness; through the unknown, stay close to Him. The best thing I have ever done, is fall in love with Him. Christ is forever, boys are whatever. He, the God of the universe, creator of everything, loves me (and you :) )with a perfect love, thinks of me constantly, desires my affection, anticipates my calls, and is focused on me, and only me, every moment of every day. The perfect and holy God is my Father. That is awe-inspiring. It blows my mind. It took a lot to get to where I am now. I haven’t arrived by any means, but I now know what it’s like to have Him as your best friend. I’ve grown up in church, I know all the answers, I know what we should do, but, to know it, and to have it, are two different things. Life takes on a whole new light when you look to Him for everything; completely, without a doubt, everything. When we become obsessed over Him, that is when it begins. Fall in love with Him, He’s amazing. Desire to know Him, simply to know Him. People will let you down, He never will. He will listen when no one else will, or when you can’t talk to anyone else about it. He is with you when you feel all alone. He’s helping you when you feel helpless. You’ll never loose Him, and He will never leave you. He loves you, He’s just waiting for you. Fitting in is a common desire. Everyone desires to be accepted and to ‘fit in’. The pressure to conform to the standards of the world will always be there. The fight of following the fads of the world, and to be ‘popular’ is in every persons’ life. However, choose to be different. Not just to be different, but for the Lord. Choose to be separate. Every day we represent Him, not ourselves. Our life is not our own, and our body is the temple of the Lord. Choose to have Him be seen instead of you. Strive to have people notice Him in you, instead of yourself. It is also said that one can gain more friends in 2 weeks by listening to others, than in two years by trying to get people to listen to them. We are here to serve, not be served. Be interested in other people’s lives, listen, care, encourage. Be the kind of person you would like to meet. If you ever meet someone you just can’t stand whatsoever, use it as an opportunity to love more or better. You never know, they just might be your future best friend. When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to grow up. But, now, I wish I could be ten again. I’m very afraid. My first job, new responsibilities, pressures and stresses, it all comes with the territory of adult-hood. College for me is next year. That freaks. me. out. Life is confusing. But through all the confusion, fear, loneliness, insecurity, and uncertainty of growing up, face it with courage. Life was meant for growth. Each step preparing you for the next. Adulthood is scary and unknown, but without our generation facing it with courage, pthwt. Don’t give up in life, don’t quit. Don’t quit serving Him. Endure. Press on harder. When it get hard, and you want to quit, that’s when faith begins. Life will pick you up and drop you... hard. It will force you to leave your comfort zone behind. It will push you to the edge of difficulty, and then push you harder. But don’t turn back. He is always there. Allow common things to reveal God to you. Be sensitive to His leading and His voice. Don’t conjure up your idea of God, or what you think He is like, or what He should do. Don’t ‘play’ God. Even when you can’t sense His presence, realize that He is still there. Don’t question His existence simply because you can’t ‘feel’ Him. Feelings lie, your heart will deceive you. Trust His word. He will never leave you, He has promised. Last, but not least, smile. This one’s important. One’s countenance should be joyful and Christ honoring at all times. I don’t think we realize what our countenance looks like a lot of the time. People can be intimidated, fearful, or discouraged by our facial expression alone. We may not even realize what it looks like. So, smile. Lots. Sometimes, a smile is all someone needs. Your smile may brighten someones day, or be the only one they see. So girl, this is my heart. This is some things the Lord has taught me. You may notice this letter has been ‘spiritual’ in nature. I’m not referring to myself as ‘spiritual’, but rather, you can’t make it through life apart from Him. You will never find anything you are seeking that’s not found in Him. You won’t find yourself, because your life is hid in Him. You can’t find security, friendship, love, direction, joy or peace, because there is no such thing apart from Him. I look forward to the years to come, finding out what God has in store for our lives. You’re very special, and I know He’s got some amazing plans for you. Follow Him, whether it makes sense or not. He understands it all, and it’s only going to be amazing. Don’t think of His will as something scary, unapproachable, or unknown. It’s simple. It’s not a scavenger hunt to ‘find out’ what His will is. The Bible never said to ‘figure it out’, because He already has it ‘figured out’. Stay close to Him, and He will lead you one step at a time. You won’t find out your life plan. You may not even know what to do next week. But, the Lord will always tell you what to do right now. And don’t dread His will like you’re going to the dentist.... that’s like dreading going to an amusement park. His plans are far better than any of yours, that fact is very clear to me now. Life isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Take it one step at a time, and have fun! Love ya!
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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