A Letter To 16 Year Old Me

Dear Becca,

     You're 16 now, but this year will come and go so very quickly.  Enjoy your youth, don't compare yourself to others and stop over critiquing your appearance.  I know you probably hear things like this all the time, but 30 years from now you will know I was right.  
     Don't ever neglect your time with the Lord. He is your best friend and will be the only one who will always be there for you. Always have time alone to pray and read His word everyday. Don't expect others to always be around or even understand.  In fact, expect to be disappointed with people and then celebrate when you are not.  Even your parents, who are so very wonderful, will not always be there and will not always be perfect.  Enjoy them.  Their time on earth and in your life the way you know it now, is limited.  Cherish your siblings.  Work on building those bonds and work on forgiving.  Be thankful and stop trying to move on to the next stage........college, career, marriage, children, etc.  Be content where you are right now and make the most of every opportunity.
     As far as friends, be the friend that you want to have.  Don't let friendships fade.  People will go in and out of your life, but you will know the ones who are life long friends. Don't judge by outward appearances or first impressions.  You will find that your closest friends will not be those that you would pick out of a crowd.  Don't drop the ball.  Keep in touch with them.  Pray for them, be there for them, love them.  And God will bring that special someone into your life at just the right time.  Don't worry, you will KNOW that he is your soul mate.  He will make you smile like no other.  He will be your best friend, but more than that, he will be your better half.  
     Make the most of the time you have right now.....travel, read, give and hug those around you a lot!  They won't be around forever.  Laugh and enjoy life.  Life is so much more than how you look, who you are hanging out with or how much money you have.  Those things fade so very quickly. 
     God is so very faithful. Life is hard sometimes and really sad, difficult things happen.  But God is writing the story, not us, and He will not disappoint.  I'll leave you with these verses:
"Faithful is He Who is calling you to Himself and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it (fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you.) 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Amplified Bible

 "Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden and unconscious faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my firm, impenetrable Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalms 19:12-14 (Amplified Bible)


(A friend asked me to write a letter to her daughter who was turning 16. So in honor of my birthday week, I wrote it to myself : )