Hey dude. You don’t know me, yet, but I am the future you. That’s right, you read that correctly. I’ll prove it. This year you will finally get the chance to date that girl you’ve had eyes on since you moved here. Yeah, see, I do know what I’m talking about. So listen up bro. Dad knows what he’s talking about. You think you are good friends with him now? Wait til later in life, when you are 24 and getting ready to get married, he’ll still be your best friend. Yes, you do get married, and to a beautiful young woman named… sorry can’t tell you that! I can’t give everything away now, that would be no fun. But what I can tell you is that fooling around with girls is really fun and it feels insanely good. However, the other side of that coin is that IF you do engage in sexual stuff with girls, it will cause you some serious issues in your relationship with the girl you will eventually marry. It causes WAY more damage than those good feelings are worth at the time. Please, trust me man. I’m begging you. Another thing along the lines of your future marriage, seek Christ FIRST and he will take care of that relationship. If you try to force it, you could end up with the wrong girl and you may not see it until it is too late.
You know those sisters of yours that you find annoying right now? Well they are very receptive to everything you say to them, so please be careful what you say and how you treat them. A lot of their view of men and future relationships will be formed from their interactions with you at home. Treat them like the princesses that they truly are, even when you don’t feel like it because some day when they grow up, if you were a jerk, they might think that they have to settle for a jerk, and you will end up having to fight off more boys than you would if you loved them the right way that they deserved. And while I’m on the topic of family, you will understand later in life, but family is something that is insanely important. You are blessed with a great family, and there are many families out there that are not nearly as awesome as yours; don’t take for granted the time you get to spend with them. People you truly invest in often turn out to be your greatest investment. Dude, there is gonna be some sweet technology that comes out in the future, but save your money for the super sweet stuff, if you buy everything that just looks kinda cool, you won’t have the money for the actually sweet stuff.
I know mom keeps nagging to play piano and stick with lessons, listen to her. Later in life it will be a huge advantage that you can read music and play instruments, music is the universal language. Have dad teach you guitar too, he’s been playing long enough to be a pretty good teacher. Take advantage of every opportunity to engage in something or go somewhere, don’t let fear rule your life man.
Get yourself plugged in with a solid group of guys who love Christ and that love is evidenced by their daily actions. If someone doesn’t give you the time of day, move on and don’t wallow in those empty relationships. Go for the ones that fill you up and that encourage you.
One last thing, practice basketball everyday, no matter how many pairs of shoes you go through, because if you do, you will play in college, and trust me, that makes the college life a little bit less stressful.
If you forget everything you just read, remember these three sayings and you'll be ok:
Love God. Love People. Live Surrendered.
Love,
Ry
