Do you ever wish you could give advice to yourself at a time when you were younger? I don't wish I could change much because ultimately everything that went down in my past was a part of His greater plan. However, there are times when I wish I knew some things back in the day that I know now. This is a letter to an adolescent Heather.
Heath,
Relax. Live in the moment. Whatever it is you're going through is important, for He is exquisitely guiding you through this for a purpose. Enjoy and learn from these situations. You're going to miss these days of innocence, spare time, and little responsibility. Don't rush them. As you rush each day, hoping and anxiously awaiting something in the future, you are missing out on the precious important moments of today. Make memories and live in them. Provide yourself with opportunities to be proud of and things of good nature to look back on and smile. Don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). God's got it.
Focus. Focus on the important things. Focus on Godly things and you can't go wrong. Invest your time wisely. Serve. Give. Love. Read the Word. Time is to be cherished. You will come to realize that you are only given so much of it and it's best to use it for the good of His Kingdom and to store up for yourself heavenly treasures. "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21. Make sure that what you're focusing on today is getting you closer to where God wants you to be tomorrow.
Listen. It is good to speak your mind. Be genuine with your words and share your thoughts and ideas. But, Heather please sit back and listen when others are doing this. Listen to mom, listen to dad, listen to your teachers, elders, and most importantly listen to the Lord. These people have lived longer than you. I'm sorry, but you are a young soul; you have so much that is yet to come. You can learn oh so much by listening to those with experience, those who have stories to tell you and life to share with you. Listen to them with a humble heart and be gracious and thankful for them.
Work hard. Proverbs 31 says, "She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks." Work at things wholeheartedly for the Lord and not for man. This will help you to become less bitter towards those people like dad who always have something to say about everything you do, that you don't particularly like. In everything, you are working for the Lord and whatever He calls you to do, work at it as hard as that little heart of yours possibly can.
Build relationships. We are called to live in fellowship and connection with others. "I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself." Colossians 2:2. Build your relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ for these people will keep you on the path to God and away from earthly things. These people will hold you accountable to your faith and your actions. These people will be there for you when you need them, as you should be there for them. Remember, these are people you will spend eternity with. Build relationships with people who will help you to become more like Jesus and less like the evil one. Choose your friendships wisely. This is crucial.
Pray. Never forget to spend time with God. He is your best friend, after all. Your relationship with Him is by far the most important of all these relationships on Earth. Study the Word and pray in every season. You will have seasons of doubt, seasons of sorrow, seasons of refining, seasons of joy, and seasons of waiting. Rely on the Lord in every season, not only when it is convenient for you. He longs to hear from you. Don't ignore your best friend, Heath.
And Heather, if you ever forget what to do and how to become a Godly woman, take a look at Proverbs 31 (Even if you have to read it a bajillion times over the years). I pray that you will become a strong, independent Godly woman. I pray that you will look to Him and only Him to fill every empty crevasse in your life because it is only the love and grace of God that will make you full. I pray that you will have a heart of grace and an eternal fire in your soul for God. I pray that with every passing day you become more like Jesus.
Love always + good luck,
