A lot of people will try to teach you a lot of different things growing up. And while I am no life guru, these are the things I hope they teach you…
Dreaming to become a somebody in the future is not a bad thing, but I hope they teach you that it is okay to not know what you want to become when you are only 7. Life isn’t meant to be figured out in grade school. At this time, I hope they teach you about the One Who gave you life. I hope they teach you about Jesus Christ, the One Who gave His life so you can have a future in heaven with Him.
Friends are the family you are going to choose for yourself. Instead of going with the flow, I hope they teach you to walk with the wise. The company you choose to follow today will determine where you will be tomorrow. Choose the friends who will lead you closer to Jesus. The friends who will speak the truth in love, remind you to follow Him everyday, and pray for you and with you. I hope they teach you to choose the friends who will encourage you to be more Christ-like. I hope they teach you to become that kind of friend.
Life is not always going to be easy. At times, life will hit you hard. But I hope they teach you that no matter what the situation is, God is in control. No matter how tough life can be for you, you are not hopeless when you put your trust in the Lord. There is no better comfort than knowing that the God who holds the universe cares for you. Even though you may not understand it at the moment, trust that everything He allows to happen is for you and with a purpose. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
People will fail you. They will hurt you, intentionally or unintentionally. When this happens, I hope they teach you to look at the person the way Jesus Christ looked at us in our sinful state– still with so much love and forgiveness. Keep in mind that apart from the grace of God, we are susceptible to failing and hurting other people as well. Instead of firing back, I hope they teach you to be kind. True strength lies in the kindness of your heart to realize that an eye for an eye only makes the world blind. Even in your most broken state, God can still use you to lift the fallen; and that, my dear, is never a weakness. That is God’s grace shining through your brokenness.
You will fail people. You will hurt them, intentionally or unintentionally. When this happens, sincerely ask for forgiveness, first from the Lord, and second to the people you have wronged. Try your best to restore what’s broken. Accept that you are human, and humans fail, but it’s not the end of you. Your breaking can be the transformation of you if you allow it to. Don’t live in your mistakes, learn from them. Dwelling in the past is only as useful as putting the toothpaste back in the tube after you have squeezed it empty. Ask the Lord to help you become a better person as a result of this failure. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16
Words are weapon, and some people are going to use this weapon against you. I hope they teach you that what other people say about you is not necessarily you. Their words don’t define you. More often than not, their words reflect what’s in their heart, the same as your words reflect yours. On that note, I hope they teach you to choose to use this weapon wisely. Do not use this to destroy others, but use your words to help build someone up. Encourage. Speak the truth in love always. One can never go wrong by being extra careful, soft, and kind with their words.
Your timeline is different from theirs. I hope they teach you to be patient. In God’s time, your time will come. Whatever it is that your heart is desiring, as long as you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give it to you in His time. Taking the matters into your own hand because of impatience will only bring needless sorrow and would cause more delay. Waiting is never easy. At times, it can get tiresome. But God will reward those who wait patiently for Him. Serve Him in your season of waiting. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31a
Most of all, I hope they teach you to put God first in your life. Strive to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Obey Him with all of your heart. And this won’t always come easy. Sometimes, you would have to let go of ambitions, dreams, loved ones… and it’s going to be hard… but the Lord will enable you to do it. As you submit to His will everyday, He will allow you to do things you cannot do left to your own self. He will change you in ways you never thought possible. He will work in and through you, and mold you into the person He wants you to become—all for your best and for His glory.
I hope that’s what they teach you.
I pray that’s what we teach them.
Heiress of God 