Nostalgia. It tugs. It reminds. It brings up amazing old feelings that make you miss the past so deeply. Recently I’ve had nostalgia from being younger. So much that — I’ve decided to write a letter to the younger version of myself. If you feel so inclined, have a read below.
Dear younger me,
You’re so caught up in the little things. So pure. So distracted. Heres my advice.
Take advantage of the world around you. The big things, the small things — never miss an opportunity. Go to church. Go to school. Hang out with your friends. Love mom a little deeper. Hug your siblings more. One day you’re gonna look up and realize that you’re grown. That you’re on the other side of the world and the people who care about you the most are there too.
Mom wants you to skip an outing to stay home for dinner after church on Sunday? Do it. You only have so many more meals under the same roof with her.
Live your best life, give it your best shot. Don’t sweat the haters; and believe me, there will be haters. You’re so caught up in the idea of who likes you, who wants to be your friend, and why that one kid from your english 1 class thinks you’re not good enough to sit at lunch with him.
The truth is. You’re so good enough. You are chosen. Maybe not by that kid who hurt your feelings and confidence so much deeper than he will ever know — but by Jesus. You will look up one day and miss things like going to Youth Group every wednesday. You’ll miss standing among your friends every summer at church camp declaring the name of the one true king. You’ll miss literally going to dairy palace every day and finding someone to hang out with there.
One day you’ll look up — and you won’t be in your home town anymore. Mom won’t be in arms reach to hug you and give you advice (btw that you probably won’t listen to. You’re so stubborn.) Listen to her by the way. She knows so much more than you give her credit for. She loves you so much. She also chose you, remember.
But don’t worry.
You have so much in store. One day you’re gonna wake up and you’ll be on this journey known as the world race. You’ll love on beautiful people from all over the world. You will have seen places and things most people will never see. You will experience the Lord in ways you would’ve never thought. You will be places you would’ve never put yourself. But here we are. Trudging through the present. Free from our shackles. Free from our shame. Running the race with full endurance. With no holding from the enemy.
you got this. we got this.
-logan
