Dear Meredith,
Let me
begin by saying that while I do have regrets, I also understand that God’s
sovereign hand has carried me through my life. Do not be so fearful of making
mistakes that you miss out on the refining that comes only through suffering.
With
that being said, ask Grandpa Gene for more lunch dates and go with open ears
and an open heart. You may not realize it now, but he is the most wise man in
your life and he carries the history behind your family following Christ.
You
have a few special friends in your life right now. Be thoughtful to bless their
lives and be ready to offer grace- and to ask for it. You are all still
learning what friendship means, so don’t allow your wounds to turn into scars
in this season.
Don’t
judge the “mean girls.” You need the grace and love of Jesus Christ just as
desperately, if not more, than they do. If you don’t understand that now, you
will very soon.
Give
Dad a trash bag and ask him to go through your closet with it. I know- you will
probably lose a lot of your favorite clothes, but trust me, your honor and God’s
glory mean so much more than looking cute. Plus, Dad needs to know that you
care more about his approval than your peers’. And this will plant in your soul
the seed of caring for your heavenly Father’s approval.
Despite
what culture is telling you, love is not
a rebellious teenage boy going against your parents to “fight” for you. True
love is when your parents risk losing your affection for a season to fight for
your holiness and to protect your heart.
With
that being said, don’t date until you’re 22. I know, I know. But please, spend
more time hanging out with groups of friends and less time dating.
When it
comes time to select a college, remember… YOU HATE THE COLD!
Pay
attention to the friends that reflect Christ to you. Spend as much time as you
can with them- you will treasure those times the most.
If
Jesse Talley invites you on any adventures, go. And treasure the laughter.
Always
thank Brie for her friendship. She will be a lifelong friend that sticks closer
than a brother.
You
will experience your first heartache as soon as you turn 16. Take heart.
Basketball is not what the meat of life is made of.
I know
you love cooking with Mom in the kitchen. Take her up on the offer to help cook
as much as you can. Not only will you learn all of her secrets of the kitchen,
but you will unlock countless treasures of her heart. Something about cooking
awakens the soul.
Right
now, I rarely wear name brand clothes. I’m telling you this so you will refrain
from wasting your paychecks on American Eagle. Sponsor a child in another
country and put the rest in savings. You will find so much more joy in this and
the last thing you need is something else to boost your ego.
Enjoy
your last prom as much as possible. Kind of like Cinderella and her expiration
date, the effects of Mono start kicking in around 10 o’clock.
Don’t
be such a brat to your brother. Build him up and show him respect. You really
need to see what a godly man your age looks like and he is it.
Enjoy
watching your sister continue to fall in love in marriage. This is what a man
pursuing a woman should look like. Take note of their hospitality and generosity
to want to invite you into their love and to spend time with you- you will use
what you learn from them in order to minister to young women later on.
The
loves of your life will be born in 2007 and 2009. Kiss their little cheeks.
Sing to them and adore them when their little eyes of wonder gaze into yours.
Store those up in your heart because this is a foreshadowing of heaven.
There
will be times in your life when you’re following God and nothing around you
seems to make sense. That’s when you need to close your eyes and keep walking. He
is the faithful Creator.
With
hope for your future,
Your
22-year-old self
