Dear, My 19 year old self ~

Dear 19 year old self,

 There's so much I wish I could protect you from, but you wouldn't have grown.  The moments you knew what you were doing deep down in your gut - God was calling you.  Calling you out of your sinful ways and into a deeper relationship with you.

Those moments when you turned away and did your own thing - you didn't have to wait so long to run to God.  He was there for you.  Waiting for you. 

Disappointed?  Yes.  

Heartbroken?  Yes.  

Full of Grace?  Yes.  

Don't put Friday and Saturday nights ahead of God.  What will matter for eternity - God or the friends you meet in the clubs?  

Don't worry about the clothes you're wearing.  4 years from now you'll be paying off school loans and all of the trips to the mall you made.  

Don't get the soft serve ice cream at every meal.  Just because it's there and part of the food plan doesn't mean you need to eat it.  

Watch out when you prank on the guys' floors....they'll come after you with a vengeance.

Those moments you feel in your gut that you need to turn away and run,....run!  That's the Holy Spirit guiding you.  

God is light and there is no darkness in the light.  (I John 1:5)

Those friends pursuing your friendship that share your faith, listen to their wisdom.  Hang out with them.  

Don't put yourself in a bubble either - Jesus didn't hang with his 12 friends and never talk to others.  

Don't judge.  Look at those around you to see how you can bring peace and encouragement to their lives. 

Don't make stupid choices knowing that God will forgive.  

The best choice, the hard choice is just that - difficult.  You may lose friendships or put some on hold, but that's ok.  

 

Find your significance in God, not others.  

Seek Him.

Pray.

Be honest with someone who shares your faith in Jesus.  Allow them to speak truth into your life, even the stuff that's hard to hear.  

Although this doesn't seem fair now, just think about how God is pursuing you, your heart, your life.  The God of the universe is.  Yes, The.God.of.the.Universe!  Those uncomfortable moments are meant for you to give up your worldly desires and join Jesus in an amazing life with Him.  You are the bride of Christ.  Made for a purpose.  God has big plans for you.  Don't lose faith.  Choose to walk with Jesus.  

What would you tell your 19 year old self?!