I know for you 20 years seems like a lifetime, but from my perspective it's been a blink of the eye. And yet, I barely remember being a teen, though I still feel all the old familiar insecurities at times.
You've just returned from a Girl Scout trip to Montana where you spent 3 weeks with other girls from all over the country. It was your first time out in the big world "all alone" and you totally rocked it!! I know it seems impossible now, but you'll lose touch with every single girl from that trip, although the memories will never leave you. They'll shape how you view not only the greater world, but yourself as well.
My YFC Northern Ireland ministry team. I'm in the stripes front and center.
Your confidence will lead you to go even further next summer...to Northern Ireland with Youth For Christ. Don't be afraid to step out in faith. This trip will stretch you more than anything to date. You'll have to speak to strangers about your faith and really own it personally. Throw yourself fully into the experience and make purposeful memories you'll cherish for years to come. From the other members of your team you'll learn how small your view of God is and your heart and mind will grow so much in 3 weeks you'll hardly recognize the person who returns.
High school's pretty torturous, I do remember that. You just keep being you and don't worry about living up (or down) to whatever they expect. You tend to worry too much about what others think. Hold tight to the person God created you to be and don't compromise. That said, there's no need to put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect. God loves you far more than you could ever imagine or understand.
High School graduation day. Showing off our honor cords.
After a bit of waffling and floundering, you'll attend an amazing Bible College where you'll learn even more about God and others and yourself. A word of warning: After your freshman year you'll feel like a Bible genius. Don't let it go to your head. Just because you know so much more than you did a year ago doesn't mean everyone else is Bible-dumb or that you don't have tons more to learn. You'll spend your whole life learning from and about the Lord and never know it all.
I'd love to be able to warn you about poor decisions to shield you from hurt, but the truth is, everything in your life is there for a purpose. Every experience and person and triumph and failure will contribute to the person you'll become. You'll learn patience and trust and how to be comfortable in your own skin. So, I wouldn't wish any of them away or change one moment of the years to come.
Just two more words of advice before the portal closes and I must go. First, cut your parents some slack. They're human, not perfect. They love you so much and only want what's best for you. Trust their judgement and learn from and about them. It will greatly expand your understanding of how they became who they are. Second, on Christmas Eve 1997 you won't want to go to lunch at Eat 'n' Park but you will. You won't be looking for or expecting it, but that's the day you'll meet your husband. He's everything you've hoped for and more. God sure knows what He's doing. ;o)
Now, get back to band practice. Enjoy these days. They're shorter than you think.
Love,
Me-at-35
Linking up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky to help her introduce her new book Graceful for young women.
I love it! Great letter! I have a hard time with sharing my faith face to face, learning from you that perhaps stepping out of my comfort zone might stretch it a bit. Also, on a lighter note, I was always in band practice those days too! :)
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