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Have you ever wanted to go back in time to your younger self? Not me! However, I do wish I could give my younger self a message.
What would you say to a much younger you?
Today, I share statements for the younger me. I have acquired these thoughts over the 54 years of living on this planet earth. A few points I’ve heard along the way, others are my mine. All are truths I want to in my life.
I do not know where you are in your life’s journey, but these I give to you too! Next week I will share a message to the MUCH older me.
To the Younger Me:
1. Let go, my darling of the persona of perfection. The persona of perfection will paralyze you from authentic living. It will paralyze you from personal growth and simple pleasures. Instead, be authentic, because the authentic YOU is beautiful. You were made in the image of God, by Him for a plan bigger than yourself. I am not saying that you don’t need to work on your rough edges, I am saying let go of perfection.
2. Your future culture will count pounds, dollars, and the square footage of a house. Learn to count your blessings instead. Count your blessings every day. Identify new ones every day. Count your blessings instead of playing the comparison game. “Comparison is the theft of all joy,” said Theodore Roosevelt. It is a game no one wins. When you learn to recognize the blessings and have a heart of gratitude, you will find joy.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
3. Quit trying to live up to the world’s standard, to feel worthy. Instead, see yourself through the eyes of the Creator. How silly is it when we think white teeth, thin waistlines, and beauty makes one worthy!? How crazy are we to think a big house makes us better than others. Don’t measure yourself from the standard of the world.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
4. Stay true to yourself. Chase your God-given dreams, but do it in His timing. You can do it, and you can do it well, but you can’t do it all at the same time. Your life will be made up of seasons. Read back through Proverbs 31. She was smart, loved her family and loved her Jesus. She was an entrepreneur. She served others. She was respected. However, her story is told over a life span. Don’t try to do it all, have it all, be it all to all people all at one time. You will burn out. There is a time and season for everything.
5. Understand that marriage doesn’t make you happy — you make your marriage happy,” says Doctor Les and Leslie Parrot. Understand “the bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds, they mature slowly. (Peter De Vries) Know that your “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” (Dr. John Trainer) Embrace the truth that children are not a distraction from a great ministry or greater job, they are your ministry. Make them a priority in your life and in your schedule.
6. Sweet girl, breathe; you are going to make it.
Just breathe. Soak it all in. Enjoy the journey. Soak in the moments when your husband wants to mess up your makeup, not your mascara. Soak in the moments with your parents, for they will not be here forever. Enjoy the moments when that tiny one wraps his little hands around your neck. Breathe dear younger me. Life is good, and you are going to make it.
“All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Friends, life is short. Step into everything He has for you, and enjoy the journey.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)
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