You've probably read thousands of letters such as these, those wishing you well and praying that you will forever have God in your life. I'd be lying if I told you that this one would be ground-shaking for you. In all honesty, you may not even feel a tremor beneath your feet, but a shift of the slightest pebble. Even if that's it, I am grateful you took the time to read this.

I have watched the youth of our church come and go, rise and fall, like the waxing and waning of the moon. There is never a Sabbath where I do not pray that I will see more smiling faces in the youth class because, believe it or not, I find a form of fulfillment in your company that I haven't found elsewhere. I sit back and rejoice in your playful innocence but also find myself leaning forward, enraptured, by your astounding thoughts and wisdom.

How do you, at so young an age, have such a grasp of God's love and might? How do you, at so young an age, return from a week in our secular world to our haven with such bright and inspiring smiles? How do you, at so young an age, place all your faith in someone you cannot even see?

I see the truth in your eyes every week, every time you walk into class. I see the power of Christ sparking before you, like a flash of sunlight breaking night's grasp. I witness everything God has to offer in your thoughts and comments. You speak so effortlessly about the love and forgiveness we are forever offered, by our Savior.

Your eyes twinkle when you relay a story about the love you have for your horse, or how much you love food and—in that moment—I see Christ's pure love for us. I see what God meant for us all to be, before the breaking of the world.

Your sophistication in Christ inspires and pushes us, demonstrates and reiterates Christ. I see where Christ strengthens you, best of all, because you allow him to. You do not push him away for fear of being weak or reliant. You accept him in all his filling warmth and glory.

I see what you would be, without the unwavering love of the Savior, every day when I go into the world. Broken hearts, broken families, and broken psyche's litter the playground of young adults. You would be among them if you did not give every bit of yourself to Christ.

But you have.

You are saved because you know that no one will ever love you so much as the Savior loves you. Not even good ol' mom and dad, though they might argue that point!

How I wish we wouldn't allow life to beat us down. How I wish we could all have such a pure, virgin view of our Savior. Like you. I wish stars could dance in all our eyes when we talk about Christ's love. I wish giddiness would edge our voices to a shout when we realize, over and over, what was sacrificed for us because of us.

Then I remember, we can all have that very same fire burn behind our eyes. We can all have the purity of a sunbeam, through Christ. Our age is of no consequence, that's important to remember.

1 Timothy 4:12 tells us, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

I want you to know that you are doing what God has charged you. You are a witness for his righteousness and his love every time I see you. I praise the Almighty for his presence in your life and pray that you will never desert him.