A few months before leaving on the World Race (aka the black hole for wifi) I read a post on one of my favorite blogs and it was a love letter to herself. Weird concept but totally amazing. I would say my first three months on the race has been learning to appreicate and love myself so I thought I would try to write a letter too. I hope you enjoy.
**Also! I need $3,000 by December 1st to stay on the race! Help save a racer!**
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My dear Liz,
This may sound a bit odd but I feel like I need to introduce myself. I am a friend who has not always stood by you but I have begun to treasure you very much. I need you to know a few things that I have come to discover about you in case you doubt your worth and value.
You are strong but not in the sense that you have believed for the past four years. Your ability to love completely and fiercely is a rare gift that God has given you. Remember that your heart has value and you don’t have to invest all of it in every relationship you are invited in. Fight for it and protect it because He has given you wisdom and tenderness that not everyone will cherish like they should, including myself. Thank you for never failing me and for remaining soft even when I was angered by the pain you were able to feel. It is only a sign that your heart is still hidden in his. I promise I will continue to learn how to appreciate and value this state in which you naturally reside.
Also please know that your hunger for more of God is FROM God. Knowing your need for him and chasing after his presence and his goodness is breathtakingly beautiful. This is also a rare gift so continue to hunger for more because it gives much glory to God and inspires and releases others to want more of Him.
Thank you for your loud and unladylike laughter. It sprinkles joy onto people and can take over an atmosphere that cannot be tamed, much like honeysuckle. Joy is your biggest weapon against the kingdom of darkness so stop apologizing for it or being embarrassed of it. It’s ok if it makes a few people uncomfortable. Joy is who you are in Christ, own it.
Your ability to keep it real and stay brutally honest has a place and is absolutely essential in a world filled with superficial and surface level relationships. Your genuine interest in others makes room for people to open up to you in ways that allows you to bless and influence their life. Your words are able to cut through the bullshit and invite them into the things of Heaven. I have seen you build relationships in the most random of places that makes me laugh and enjoy you even more. I hope that as I learn to have grace and unconditional love for you that you will be freed to be more honest with me like you are with others.
I also really need you to know how incredibly excited I am for our future. I believe in you to chase after your biggest dreams and then some even bigger ones that God has planned for us. Remember, it is finished.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10
Once I learn how to love you well I will be more than happy to let a man worthy of you love you too. I know you get scared to think about letting someone in but you are much stronger and wiser than you or I think. I love you and can't wait to learn to love and see you like our Father does.
This may sound a bit odd but I feel like I need to introduce myself. I am a friend who has not always stood by you but I have begun to treasure you very much. I need you to know a few things that I have come to discover about you in case you doubt your worth and value.
You are strong but not in the sense that you have believed for the past four years. Your ability to love completely and fiercely is a rare gift that God has given you. Remember that your heart has value and you don’t have to invest all of it in every relationship you are invited in. Fight for it and protect it because He has given you wisdom and tenderness that not everyone will cherish like they should, including myself. Thank you for never failing me and for remaining soft even when I was angered by the pain you were able to feel. It is only a sign that your heart is still hidden in his. I promise I will continue to learn how to appreciate and value this state in which you naturally reside.
Also please know that your hunger for more of God is FROM God. Knowing your need for him and chasing after his presence and his goodness is breathtakingly beautiful. This is also a rare gift so continue to hunger for more because it gives much glory to God and inspires and releases others to want more of Him.
Thank you for your loud and unladylike laughter. It sprinkles joy onto people and can take over an atmosphere that cannot be tamed, much like honeysuckle. Joy is your biggest weapon against the kingdom of darkness so stop apologizing for it or being embarrassed of it. It’s ok if it makes a few people uncomfortable. Joy is who you are in Christ, own it.
Your ability to keep it real and stay brutally honest has a place and is absolutely essential in a world filled with superficial and surface level relationships. Your genuine interest in others makes room for people to open up to you in ways that allows you to bless and influence their life. Your words are able to cut through the bullshit and invite them into the things of Heaven. I have seen you build relationships in the most random of places that makes me laugh and enjoy you even more. I hope that as I learn to have grace and unconditional love for you that you will be freed to be more honest with me like you are with others.
I also really need you to know how incredibly excited I am for our future. I believe in you to chase after your biggest dreams and then some even bigger ones that God has planned for us. Remember, it is finished.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10
Once I learn how to love you well I will be more than happy to let a man worthy of you love you too. I know you get scared to think about letting someone in but you are much stronger and wiser than you or I think. I love you and can't wait to learn to love and see you like our Father does.
Love,
Liz
