This month we are celebrating my birthday with several letters to our younger selves through five generations of women. I’m also sharing a few of my favorite things as giveaways. Don’t forget to enter!
Introducing Kristi is like a songbird introducing morning – she makes me smile. I first met her at Compel Training, learning alongside me the fine print of being a writer. We became fast friends. She does for me what she longs to do for all who God sends her way, encourage us to dig deeper with Jesus. I love her style and her smile. Kristi shares from an Generation X perspective.
Dear Younger Me,
Hello there, beautiful one. My, you’re a lovely masterpiece today. God’s work in you is good, and I praise Him. This I know full well. Oh, how I wish you knew that, too. That truth, once you realize it, will save you much heartache and frustration in your years to come.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10 NLT
Allow me to step back into your life with a reminder: You are loved. Do you know what that means? It’s means you’re okay just the way you are. God accepts you as you. It means He loves you even at your worst. And trust me, the worst has already occurred.
Younger self, you don’t realize this yet because you’re a “works” and “man’s approval” kind of girl, but at the very worst, bottom of the barrel, dirtiest of dirties, it’s-only-up-from-here “you”, God is present with love. You might be filthy with all the dirt and grime of the world, but you are accepted and loved by God.
When you realize you’re approved of and loved, you’ll no longer search for “who” you are because you’ll know “whose” you are. You’ll know how to love “you”. There will come a confidence that was once elusive. It will be concrete, steadfast. Nothing will move you from the love of God.
When the Holy Spirit counsels you in this and it dances to life years after becoming a Christian, you will be forever changed for the good. His acceptance and counsel in loving yourself will solidify you and set you on solid ground. It will prepare you for truly loving others. Girl, I’m celebrating even as I write this. His work is good.
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 NLT
Oh yes, you’ll try to do it alone. Your pride will screech and scream silently in your mind, demanding it’s own way, assuring you that you can do much without the help of others, even God. Sometimes it’ll have you so wound that you’ll refuse to pray because you’re overwhelmed with frustration, sulking in tears of independence. I want to hug that girl and kick pride to the curb. It’s doing you no justice. Be willing to be weak, Younger Self. That’s where you’ll truly be strong. That’s where you’ll find Jesus.
When you release pride, knowing you don’t have to “know” it all, “do” it all, and “be” it all, you’ll find the freedom you’re searching so diligently for. It’s already ordained by God Almighty. You’ll find trust in the Lord, not in your own understanding. You’ll find a lighter burden, and easy yoke. You’ll find…peace.
Younger Self, like a toddler, you will place one foot in front of the other, acknowledging Him in different situations, until it becomes increasingly familiar. Each step will be a step in faith, a launch into the waters of trust. Can I assure you of one thing this day? Will you walk away with this one thing?
Trust in the Lord is always trustworthy. Walk in it. Run with it.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
Much Love,
Your Older Self
Kristi Woods loves a warm, sunny day and to write, read, and talk all things Jesus. She’s passionate about seeing women walk deeper in their relationship with the Lord and clicks her words of encouragement onto the screen of www.KristiWoods.net regularly. Kristi, her retired-from-the-military husband, and their three children survived the nomadic military lifestyle and have now set roots, along with their furry, rescued pets, in Oklahoma. Connect with Kristi on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.Other Post in the Dear Me Series…
Dear Me…Letter To My Younger Self {Carmen Horne}
Linking with…Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #raralinkup, Susan Mead’s #DanceWithJesus Friday
Grace says
March 24, 2018 at 7:12 pmHi,
I am reading this in 2018, and it has given me a little bit of the strength I needed. Thank you for reminding me that I need to trust in God and take each and every baby step of faith with Him.
God is good,
Grace
Carmen Horne says
March 26, 2018 at 9:06 amOh Grace, so glad you were encouraged today! Thank you for sharing a little bit of your journey. Blessings, friend!
Crystal Hornback says
July 23, 2015 at 10:34 amJust beautiful, Kristi! #livefreeThursday
Kristine says
July 23, 2015 at 8:09 amBeautiful Kristi:) Your words blessed me today!
Michelle says
July 23, 2015 at 7:09 amBeautifully said. #livefree
Janet Benson says
July 23, 2015 at 5:37 amBe willing to be weak. Such simple words, yet it’s so difficult – even for those at a much older age. I wish someone had given me such words of wisdom during my teen years. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post, Kristi! Visiting this morning as your neighbor at #LiveFree Thursday.
Crystal Storms says
July 16, 2015 at 11:18 amKristi, this lesson struggles to sink in: “Be willing to be weak, Younger Self. That’s where you’ll truly be strong.” But those weak moments that lead me to fully rely on His strength bless me and cause me to give thanks for all my weaknesses.
Thank you, Kristi, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing.
Carmen, wishing you sweet blessings on your birthday. : )
Kristi says
July 16, 2015 at 9:38 pmCrystal, I soooo understand. Each step, leaning a bit more each time as we go. God is faithful.
Carmen Horne says
July 19, 2015 at 8:50 amThanks for visiting with us Crystal! And thank you for my birthday wishes. It has been a great one so far.
Trudy says
July 14, 2015 at 11:28 amI love this, Kristi. A line that especially hit me is – “you’ll no longer search for “who” you are because you’ll know “whose” you are.” I am a slow learner and seem to need this reminder every day. Thank you so much. And thank you, Carmen, for this series.
Kristi says
July 14, 2015 at 3:34 pmTrudy, I’m a slow learner too. That’s okay, as long as His truth sinks in, all is well.
Carmen Horne says
July 15, 2015 at 10:45 amYou are so welcome Trudy. I am loving all this great wisdom as well!
Patricia Krank says
July 14, 2015 at 9:26 amWise advice to the younger you and to your younger readers. Thanks for sharing! I’m joining you from over at the Testimony Tuesday party today and I’m happy to meet you.
Blessings,
Patti
Brenda says
July 14, 2015 at 7:32 amLovely, Kristi. :) If only we could all go back and tell ourselves: “When you realize you’re approved of and loved, you’ll no longer search for “who” you are because you’ll know “whose” you are. ” Why does it seem to take us so long to “get” that?
Thanks for sharing, Kristi. Loving this series, Carmen. ((Hug))
Carmen Horne says
July 14, 2015 at 9:28 amThank you Brenda. I am loving all these letters too! It is such a blessing to read how God has worked. Thanks for stopping by!
Kristi says
July 14, 2015 at 10:59 amI wonder the same thing, Brenda. Thank goodness for God’s patience and grace.
Betsy says
July 12, 2015 at 9:51 amIt’s good to see you here at Carmen’s, Kristi! What a mystery life is: we keep growing and developing. I often look back at how far I’ve come, and I also look ahead to see where I still have to go. So much to learn on this journey of life!
Kristi says
July 13, 2015 at 1:05 pmYou’re right, Betsy. There is so much to learn in this life. God is good.
Meg Gemelli says
July 10, 2015 at 8:32 amWhat a beautiful idea for a series!! I love this:) Oh, how many things I would say to my younger self. How wish she would have known Jesus like my older self does today. How she missed out! That being said, He certainly works everything for His good…Great work Carmen and Kristi!!
Kristi says
July 10, 2015 at 3:03 pmHe certainly does work out things for His good. Woo hoo!
Carmen Horne says
July 14, 2015 at 9:29 amThank you Meg. The idea began to stir within me several months ago and I was giddy thinking about so much wisdom. Thanks for stopping by!
Chery Barker says
July 9, 2015 at 5:56 pmKristi, you touched on a couple of the things I’d tell my younger self, too — trusting in God at all times, no matter what, and knowing that He loves me just because I’m His, not because of any way that I perform. Some of our struggles are common to so many, aren’t they? Blessings!
Kristi says
July 9, 2015 at 7:19 pmAren’t they, Cheryl? Common ground, yet a common (to each of us) God who’s bigger than any of our fears. Love it!
Ellen Chauvin says
July 9, 2015 at 11:00 amKristi, that was just beautiful – and so full of love! When I wrote a letter to my younger self, I fussed at her so much, but in a good way! There is much to be learned from our younger years! Thanks Carmen for sharing Kristi! Beautiful series!
Kristi says
July 9, 2015 at 2:30 pmThere IS a lot to be learned from our younger years. Thanking God for His patience through it. :-) Thanking Him for you as well, Ellen. You’re a blessing.
Carmen Horne says
July 10, 2015 at 8:31 amThat Kristi is a special lady for sure Ellen. I’m so glad she was apart of this series too. Thanks for stopping in friend.
Lisa notes says
July 9, 2015 at 10:35 amA beautiful letter. It would be awesome if we could really speak to our younger selves. But we can let our future older selves speak to our current selves now. This wise advice still applies! Thanks for the encouragement.
Kristi says
July 9, 2015 at 2:32 pmWouldn’t it, Lisa? I have a feeling my strong-willed self wouldn’t have listened, though. Older selves speaking to younger selves…oooo, I like this. Yes, let’s allow our older selves the microphone.