Thursday, September 5, 2013

a letter to my 10 year-old self

"I wish I could go back and do college over again with the brain I have now." 
I recently expressed this to my hubby as we were reflecting on our years at school and when we first met, etc. He, quite comically, came back with, "I'm not sure I would pass with the brain I have now!" Hilarious, actually, because I know I wouldn't pass. I'm busy trying to keep dates, appointments, grocery lists, and my children's whereabouts straight, so I'm not having much luck when it comes to deep pondering these days.

But my comment was really about wishing I had the emotional presence in college that I do now. Actually, forget college, but what if I could go back and write a letter to my childhood self, knowing the things I know now? There's a lot I would write, but I would start with this. . .

Sweet 10 year-old little girl,
Do not be anxious about anything,

You will have to give reports in front of your class. You will need to stand up to a bully and defend a friend. You will be in a plane crash. You will have to get in the game when Coach tells you to. You will be away from your family at times when you don't want to be. You will have difficult conversations with people who scare you. And with teachers. And with friends. You will leave for college and everyone will think you won't make it so far away, including yourself.

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Marriage will be hard. Your country will be attacked. You won't know from where your next job is coming. You will experience loss. You will have doubts. You will be given the most amazing and terrifying blessing. You will be clueless. You will be financially strapped. You will have friends leave. You will find out about an unexpected ultrasound and an unexpected blessing.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

If you can know this simple, amazing truth deep in your heart, when these challenges and sometimes fear-gripping experiences stand in your way, then you will know you are never alone, and you need not be afraid. If you can pray to the Lord when you are anxious, He will give you peace.

Love,
Your still not-quite grown up self
 P.S.-- That may be a lot for a 10 year-old to take in, so know this too. The man of your dreams will ask you to marry him one day. You will. You will have 4 babies and the sweetest marriage and you will be thankful beyond belief for how the Lord has blessed you. The Lord is good!



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Our family has a friend named, Fernando, whom we sponsor through Compassion International. I know that our friend, Fernando, faces lots of challenges and fears daily. I could easily write this in some of our letters to Fernando as well. He asks for our prayers and we pray the he knows the peace of the Lord too.

This month is blog month at Compassion International. It is Compassion's goal to sponsor 3,160 children by the end of September 30th. Our family supports Compassion by sponsoring Fernando and believes in what they are doing to release children from poverty and to teach them about Jesus Christ. I'd love to talk to you anytime about our choice to sponsor Fernando, but in the meantime, you can find out more information about sponsoring a child by clicking here. Would you just take a minute to see what the Lord is doing through Compassion?

3 comments :

mrchrishill said...

PSS - Bet the house on the Red Sox to win it all in 2004. Auburn in 2010.

Aunt Mary! said...

PPSS - That little 3 year old sister you creepily like to watch sleep...she grows up to be one of the coolest people ever. She's super modest too.

jetb@tds.net said...

Lindley...I am Beth W's Mom....I love following your blog and enjoy seeing God use you in such a mighty way. I have loved watching sweet baby Way grow up and be such a joy to all of you. This last blog is wonderful....love the way you expounded on that verse through the eyes of a 10 year old.....what memories that brings to my heart! Wish I could have viewed life like that at 10 years old....would have saved me a lot of heartache! Just a dear, dear blog.......thank you!

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