Dear Future Self,
Written last November 20, 2020
Dear future self,
I don’t know when you’ll read this again. In a month or three? Scrolling through Instagram and seeing this post, curious to what you once typed down on this laptop? Perhaps a year from now? The ping of a Facebook notification popping up and you reading what was on your mind twelve months ago. Or maybe a decade from now? Cleaning and reorganizing your files, and reading the title of this document. Who knows? The future is uncertain.
Dear future self,
Has life been good? Yes, I’m asking about life, not God. Because God has always been good to you, more than you realize. But life, she can be cruel. Life keeps all the cards in her deck, and she has her favorites. She won’t tell anyone who’s the apple of her eye, but if you search closely, you’ll discover easily.
I pray you won’t try so hard to be life’s favorite human. It is impossible to please her, so stop gaining her attention. Continue to focus on the One who sets you on your path, the God who keeps your foot steady in each step you take. You don’t need to find out who life’s favorite humans are. You don’t have to step it up and hope the odds of life liking you more will be in your favor. You only have an audience of One. People will judge you for the decisions you’ll make, but only One person is worth pleasing.
Dear future self,
Have I reached my dreams? This is a struggle for you. You have been so envious of other people. They’ve achieved their goals by the time you’re writing this, but here you are, still an aspiring writer. I hope you stop looking at other people’s journeys. Everyone has their own destinations, with different ambitions, but remember, it is the Lord who determines our path. You will get there. Who knows, maybe you’re already there? And if that’s the case, congratulations. But if not, I pray you won’t give up. These dreams of yours, having a family, being a writer, are dreams given by God. And the Lord will grant them to you at His perfect timing. Please be patient. It’s tiring. Sometimes jealousy gets the best of you. I know how often you glance at other people on the same journey as you and long to be in their place. But I pray you continue to do what you are doing. You will get there. Please. Just be patient.
Dear future self,
When all is said and done, with all of the changes taking place in your life, I pray you won’t stop seeking God. Life has been hard on you. She has been for the past 22 years of your life, and she will continue to press you down. But I pray despite everything else, you continue to worship the Lord and put Him first. I pray you won’t forsake Him when things didn’t or won’t go the way you wanted to. I pray you won’t abandon Him when the questions in your heart and mind stay unanswered. But also, I pray you won’t leave Him when things are going the way you planned. I pray you won’t desert Him when He grants every one of your desires. I pray, no matter what season you are in, you continue to love Him, and seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Dear future self,
I’m excited for you to grow in life, in love, and in the Lord.
Sincerely,
Your past 22-year-old self.
