Last month I noticed this trend on social media of people posting “I took my younger self out to coffee”, and what they would tell their younger selves. This is a bit of a spin off from that, although I had actually written down the idea to do this post before I even saw that trend. 😁 And if I WAS to take my younger self out to coffee, my younger self would probably order a smoothie, and I would have a London Fog (and tell my younger self that she should definitely try it! 😀)
While I know that I can’t go back in time and counsel my younger self on lessons that I would learn in the future, I thought this would be a neat way to share the things the Lord has taught me with other young ladies who may read this.
Dear Younger Self,
I know life feels exciting right now…you have so many dreams and ideas for the future. You are standing on the threshold of adulthood and you are thinking, “Okay, life is about to really start any minute!” Dear one, your life has ALREADY started! Please don’t be in such a rush to get to the next big thing that you miss what’s in front of you RIGHT NOW. Don’t live too much in your imaginations of the future that it blinds you to the people and tasks that the Lord has currently placed before you. Slow down, and enjoy the journey. It will go faster than you think. 😉 Make the most of the time that God has given you and the opportunities to serve Him and those around you.
Hold loosely your ideas of how you think things should be. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Your expectations of being married in your 20’s and (of course) raising a family by the time you’re in your 30’s didn’t happen… God’s plans many times turn out different from what we think should happen. But His ways are SO much higher and better than ours! (Isaiah 55:8-9) Rest in the truth that He knows you, and He is a good Father who desires to give His children good gifts! (Jeremiah 12:3, Matthew 7:9-11) A word on singleness…don’t view singleness as an endless waiting season, something to just be endured until you get married. Don’t think of it as something lesser than marriage, even…a curse. There isn’t one season of life that is lesser or better than the other. Both singleness and marriage are gifts from God, and both have blessings and difficulties. (1 Corinthians 7:17-35) Marriage is not THE goal. Loving God and following Him IS.
Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. I know you’re shy, and this will be hard at first, but it will get easier each time you do it. Don’t let your shyness rule you, because that is actually selfishness – thinking too much of yourself and not enough of others. Always remember J.O.Y. – Jesus, Others, and then You. 🙂
Focus on growing your relationship with the Lord and learning to hear His voice. Don’t get too focused on the outward (what you wear, how you look, checking off all the Christian boxes) but focus on what is precious to God – your heart and your faith. Be careful not to let what others say influence you too much. What is most important is what Jesus says and wants from you. Get grounded in what you believe and why. Know that you are a daughter of the King of kings, and that what He says to you and about you are what really matters.
Dear younger self, you’ll notice that enclosed in this letter is a sealed note, to not be opened until later. In it is detailed all the lessons you learned from different trials and experiences you’ve gone through over the years. And as much as I want to show you how much you will grow in your faith and closer to the Lord through all that…it is not for you to know right now. God did not mean for us to see the whole story at once, but only one page, one lesson at a time. What I can tell you is the truth we see in Scripture that trials are not the exception in the Christian life, but rather a certainty. (“Beloved, do not think it strange the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” -1 Peter 4:12-13) God may bring some really hard things into your life, things you never dreamed would happen, but know that the Good Shepherd is FAITHFUL and has promised to never leave your side. Don’t be afraid of the valleys, but accept them as the gift from God and necessary part of the journey that they are… for it is there that your faith, which is more precious than jewels, will grow. Let the trials draw you closer to your Heavenly Father, who works all things for your good. (“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7/“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4)
I want to leave you with three basic truths that may seem simple, but are so important to keep close to your heart on this journey here on earth: 1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart 2. Love others, and 3. Trust what God is doing with your life.
Sincerely,
I would love to hear – what would you tell your younger self, if you could? 🙂
sincerely-amanda.com 