Today's prompt asks me to write a letter to my sixteen-year-old self. There is so much that I wish I could have told my 16-year-old self, knowing full well, that I probably wouldn't have believed most of it at that time. But, here goes:
Dear 16-year-old Linda,
Your life is pretty great. You have a family that loves you, and lets you know it--even those big brothers who spent years pretending to hate you, are coming around. You have a handful of really good friends and a youth group at church that you're beginning to connect with.
I know that you sometimes long to be part of the "in crowd", but despite the fact that you are painfully shy, I see you gradually gaining a little bit more confidence. I know your mom has told you before, but I hope you'll believe me when I tell you now, "It's okay to be different." It is okay to stand for something different in the world and not to cave to the influence of peers, even if at times it feels rather lonely. While it is hard to believe right now, someday, many of the things that seem so important right now, just won't matter at all. There will always be someone that is cooler or more popular, but that doesn't in any way diminish who you are right now and who you will become. Be confident in who you are and what you believe.
These days, you're beginning to wonder about your "purpose, your "life-calling". Very few people ever figure out what their vocation is to be by this age, but you have been lucky in that regard. Yes, you are supposed to be a teacher, but there is so much more. Your "life-calling" is more likely to be ever-changing, as you journey through the different stages of your life. Remember the "nudge" you felt on your youth mission trip? -- how if felt to connect with those in need and to make a difference in some small way? That was just the beginning of the calling to serve others. How about the joy you feel around babies and small children? You will be called to be a mother. . . .and more. The important thing to know is that each of those jobs is important and if you do them to glorify Him, then you will have done them well, regardless of how small or simple they seem to be at the time.
While your childhood has been mostly easy, your adult life is going to be hard at times. Very hard. You will experience hurt and disappointment and heartache and you will hurt for your children in ways that seem unimaginable right now. I don't say that to scare you. Rather, I want you to know that you will also heal. You will make make some good decisions and make some that are not so great. But, you are stronger than you think and will learn so much from every single experience that you will never again take life or family or friendships or circumstances for grants. And that is a GIFT!
Your life won't always be easy. No one's life really is, no matter what it looks like from the outside. But, your life is going to be perfect. Exactly the way God intended it to be. So, trust Him with it and live it fully.
Love,
A much older, and somewhat wiser Linda
P. S. One more thing. You know that guy that you kind of have a crush on right now? The one that thinks of you mainly as a really good friend? One of these days, many, many years from now, after both have you have been through some pretty difficult heartaches, you are going to meet again. And this time, the time will be right for you. Having lived and learned from all of your life experiences--both the good and the bad---you'll marry your best friend.
Dear 16-year-old Linda,
Your life is pretty great. You have a family that loves you, and lets you know it--even those big brothers who spent years pretending to hate you, are coming around. You have a handful of really good friends and a youth group at church that you're beginning to connect with.
I know that you sometimes long to be part of the "in crowd", but despite the fact that you are painfully shy, I see you gradually gaining a little bit more confidence. I know your mom has told you before, but I hope you'll believe me when I tell you now, "It's okay to be different." It is okay to stand for something different in the world and not to cave to the influence of peers, even if at times it feels rather lonely. While it is hard to believe right now, someday, many of the things that seem so important right now, just won't matter at all. There will always be someone that is cooler or more popular, but that doesn't in any way diminish who you are right now and who you will become. Be confident in who you are and what you believe.
These days, you're beginning to wonder about your "purpose, your "life-calling". Very few people ever figure out what their vocation is to be by this age, but you have been lucky in that regard. Yes, you are supposed to be a teacher, but there is so much more. Your "life-calling" is more likely to be ever-changing, as you journey through the different stages of your life. Remember the "nudge" you felt on your youth mission trip? -- how if felt to connect with those in need and to make a difference in some small way? That was just the beginning of the calling to serve others. How about the joy you feel around babies and small children? You will be called to be a mother. . . .and more. The important thing to know is that each of those jobs is important and if you do them to glorify Him, then you will have done them well, regardless of how small or simple they seem to be at the time.
While your childhood has been mostly easy, your adult life is going to be hard at times. Very hard. You will experience hurt and disappointment and heartache and you will hurt for your children in ways that seem unimaginable right now. I don't say that to scare you. Rather, I want you to know that you will also heal. You will make make some good decisions and make some that are not so great. But, you are stronger than you think and will learn so much from every single experience that you will never again take life or family or friendships or circumstances for grants. And that is a GIFT!
Your life won't always be easy. No one's life really is, no matter what it looks like from the outside. But, your life is going to be perfect. Exactly the way God intended it to be. So, trust Him with it and live it fully.
Love,
A much older, and somewhat wiser Linda
P. S. One more thing. You know that guy that you kind of have a crush on right now? The one that thinks of you mainly as a really good friend? One of these days, many, many years from now, after both have you have been through some pretty difficult heartaches, you are going to meet again. And this time, the time will be right for you. Having lived and learned from all of your life experiences--both the good and the bad---you'll marry your best friend.
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Visiting from Blogtember! I love your P.S. note, it's so crazy how people come in and out of our lives. Timing really is everything!
Wonderful post Linda, life loves to wander a strange path but we all end up right where we're supposed to be :) It's the best thing in the world to be married to your best friend, I am too :) Huggles always xx
Mama, this is beautiful! I love you!! {{as I wipe tears away at my desk!}}
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