For my BG kids Brayden, Mark, Jonathan, Langston, Maddi, Brady, Julia, and Rebekah.

To My Freshmen-

By now high school is an afterthought. You have completed Fish Camp and Impact, made plenty of new friends, and are now on the cusp of departing from everything you know and love to experience some of the greatest years of your life. You’re probably buying last minute stuff for your dorm room like a Keurig, beanbag chair, or that steamer your mom says you MUST bring to get every last wrinkle out of your nice clothes. Go ahead, buy your textbooks early. You may not need some of them but I know how much peace of mind you will gain from having them in your possession two weeks before you even step foot in a classroom. And please, buy that cute alarm clock that you’ll never use because it’s 2017 and let’s face it, you will end up using your phone anyways. The point I’m trying to make is that despite your own belief, you are ready. You are ready to become the person God so ever-carefully knitted together in your mother’s womb. You are ready to come to College Station, see the entire world waiting at your feet, and conquer it. Your parents have done everything from changing your diaper to teaching you how to change a tire on your car, and believe it or not, even they are ready for you to leave the nest and spread your wings.

Everything Changes.

This week everything changes. Your parents, friends from home, your house, and yes… even your dog will not be able to come with you this time around. This is no family weekend trip to Port Aransas. This is the full-blown, independent, on-your-own, 100% freedom that is your freshman year of college. Now while this may seem quite intimidating, allow me to remind you that this isn’t the turning of a page to a new chapter in your book of life. You see, this is an entire new book; a sequel. You have the rare opportunity open the cover and see nothing but glamorous, blank pages. All the “friends” in high school who treated you wrongly, the poor decisions you’ve made, and the regrets that linger in the back of your mind now fade into a dark abyss of time that can no longer touch you. Whatever hindered you from joy, peace, and love is now simply part of your beautiful story.

It’s Okay.

That test you failed, it’s okay. That deadline you missed, it happens. That GPA that’s not perfect, it’s normal. Your life will carry on despite your mistakes, and let me assure you that you will make mistakes. Mistakes are what will drive you to become a better version of yourself, and you will get better. You live for and serve a God that delights in you. He not only loves you, but he likes you and sees you as blameless. James 1: 2-4 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

To My Boys-

You are all such strong and powerful men of God. I have witnessed the way that each of you walk with purpose according to the Father’s will. You will flourish because you are steadfast and hungry for communion and truth. You are all charismatic, handsome, life-giving, and fun. This university and frankly, our world is crying out for men like you to blossom into the full potential of what God has created you to be.

To My Girls-

You are intelligent, beautiful, and full of life. Your smiles light up a room and your fearless pursuit of Jesus Christ will carry you through your years here at Texas A&M and beyond. You all will do many great things here simply because you are totally content with being yourself. I expect nothing less than for each of you to crush every expectation set in front of you because you exude such excellence.

It’s Now Your Time.

You are all so close, and let me be the first to congratulate you on even getting here. You have earned it. You have worked hard and will continue to work hard because that is the way God created you to be. Lastly, before you move in, test out that meal plan, or go to your first class and officially become a college student, allow me to give you one small piece of advice. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do something that you want to do. You are so brilliant and well put together and can do absolutely anything you set your mind to. That organization that everyone says is impossible to get into, go apply for it. That class that sounds interesting but everyone fails, go take it. That walk with Christ that everyone says is outdated, fake, or non-existent—go live it. You are unstoppable. You are bold. You are diligent. You are talented and full of energy. You are profound and fiery. You are loved and exactly where you need to be.

With love and encouragement from your one and only BG Dad,

Sam Williams

1 Timothy 4: 12-15

“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. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”