Dear me at 12,
Listen to the voice; the voice that speaks truth. You know, the one you hear in the bathroom stall you sit in while you skip lunch. You know who it is and you know He is for you. Listen when He tells you this will not last forever… even when it feels like every day drags on and everything seems meaningless. When you feel like you’re not enough and everyone is against you, He loves you and He is for you. He is your comfort.
Dear me at 14,
Don’t be a jerk, take the flower. He is the boy that will teach you how to love. Don’t look to the right or to the left, but be intentional always seeking new ways to brighten his day. You like to wonder, “What if?” but it won’t do you any good. Be honest, make time for your friends and know there is a time for everything under the sun.
Dear me at 16,
Oh what have you done? Do not be tempted to look for validation or acceptance from sources that are temporary, shallow and unsatisfactory… they will lead to shame. You have been created to perfection and are worthy of deep, honest love only found in the Lord. Seek people who love the Lord with all their heart and consider them wise.
Dear me at 18,
I can’t find you, I can’t even recognize you. This is not what you pictured your life to be and this is certainly not who you thought you would be. God will discipline you for your mistakes, and you will turn your heart back to Him. He had to do it so you would never forget His love for you and know that He is God.
Dear me at 21,
You’ve made promises you won’t keep but He still loves you. You’ve made mistakes you keep repeating but He still loves you. Your heart is like a revolving door towards God, but He still loves you. The enemy circles you like a lion but He is your shield because He loves you. Become obedient in the small things because He loves you. Learn to love the One who loved you first.
Dear me at 23,
Do not let the patterns and routines of daily life numb your soul from desiring more. Life is more than work and sleeping. You will learn more about yourself, God, the world and the church overseas than you ever would in your living room. You will be broken from the spiritual strongholds in your life that frustrate you and leave you wondering if you are even a good person. You are precious to your creator. Be obedient.
