Confirmation And So Much More.

Back story: My aunt recently asked me to write a letter to my cousin Luke for his confirmation this weekend.  They are gathering these letters for all the kids being confirmed as a sign of support and encouragement from their friends and family, to let them know that there are other people behind them as they continue their journey in this world -- life as we know it.  I was flattered that she even thought of me as someone to write to him, but I was even more so just excited to be able to be a blessing to someone, especially someone so close to me.  And this is the space in which I usually write, so it only seemed appropriate to share it.  Cheers.  

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Dear Luke,

First and foremost, congratulations on your day of confirmation!  This day is such an important milestone in your life, and I commend you for making it this far, for continuing to strive for a life that is a reflection of your God and who he has made you to be.  From this day forward, you may begin to realize that life does not always get easier.  But not to worry, you have an amazing family who will be there to help you along and support you for the rest of your life -- and that is just the best. 

Every single person, including you, is created with a specific purpose in mind.  Every ounce of your uniqueness is intentional, for a greater cause far beyond yourself.  And the moment when you realize this is the moment in which the world becomes powerless to what you can truly accomplish -- which I can guarantee will be great. 

Often times we care too much about what other people think or feel about us, and we allow them to dominate our lives to the point where we lose our voice.  But you will never have a voice until you learn to speak up.  And being bold is a scary thing, in fact it can even feel impossible or pointless at times, but you are ultimately in control of your life and who you are going to let affect it.  Be courageous, be proud of who you are.

Here is the best part of all -- you do not have to do this alone.  You have been given such an amazing gift from above, Your God, who will never leave you and who keeps you close even in the hardest of times.  His strength is all you will need, and His love will fill you up more than anything or anyone else in this world ever could.  Just ask Him to help you, and He will -- He always will.

Confirmation is not only a milestone in your life as a growing young man, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to be intentional about your faith.  It has nothing to do with going along with what is expected of you, but rather has everything to do with how you will choose to let the Lord work in your life from now on.  Let your future have purpose; let your heart be willing to follow where He takes you. 

Being a part of your life has always been such a blessing, Luke.  Watching you continue to grow and develop into the person that you have been created to be is an amazing thing.  You are so special me, and I am so happy that you are in my family, in our family.  And I can only hope that these words of encouragement stay with you and remind you of how much of an impact you have already made in so many people's lives and how much of a difference you will make in your future -- You will do great things.

I am so very proud of you.

All my love,

 Beth. 

"I know what I'm doing.  I have it all planned out -- plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

Jeremiah 29:11 

That Which You Most Certainly Deserve.

Recently, the Lord has been helping me with myself, how to fully embrace and be thankful for who He has created me to be.  He has demonstrated this in many ways, but mostly through the importance of genuine relationships with friends who love me in a way in which is far beyond what I could imagine.  For someone who has struggled with "the idea of self" for as long as I can remember, I did not know it would ever be possible for me to feel this way -- completely content in who I have been created to be.  

But alas, in Christ, all things are possible.  Amen. 

First and foremost, you must be able to see yourself as your Heavenly Father sees you -- fearfully and wonderfully made, with a specific purpose to use what He has given you for the greater glory of His Kingdom.  Your confidence, love, self-worth, and value should be completely satisfied by His thoughts toward you, to give you a future and a hope.  

Until then, you will never allow anyone else to fully appreciate exactly who you have been created to be -- which you most certainly deserve.  How can you?  We bring ourselves to such a point of dependency in others and what they think is important that we take whatever we can get, which I can guarantee is far less than what you are worth.

And I only say all of this with such confidence because I know -- I have been there, I am there.  It is an incredible transformation to undertake, but a necessary one at that.  I realized that I constantly, both internally and externally, beat myself up about my "imperfections" or the things in which I do not see as worthy of love or appreciation.  I was simply (and unfortunately can still be) embarrassed  of myself, desperately wishing I could be something that I am not -- Oh, how this makes my heart hurt.   

But the Lord continually proves to be so gracious, time and time again as promised -- as fall on my face before Him, humbling myself daily, desperately pleading for Him to purge my heart and mind of such destructive and hopeless thoughts, which are certainly not of Him.  And in that moment when my soul is released, nothing else matters except the thoughts and affections of Him, of how I can be the best version of myself in His image.  Simply glorious.  

And as a result of this, the Lord has been able to place people into my life who serve this very purpose, who love me and genuinely appreciate my whole self that I am, which often takes my breath away or even brings me to tears -- because it demonstrates the unconditional love that my Heavenly Father truly has for me in such an overwhelming and beautiful fashion.   

So let us rid ourselves of all the excuses and lies that we convince ourselves of, that we are not enough.  And let us rather be exactly who we have been intended to be, which I guarantee looks far better than anything we muster up as desirable or worthy of cause.  Find the people in life who encourage you to be just that, and nothing else.  The Lord has put them there for reason, as a direct reflection of His perfect love for you.

It is truly a wonderful thing, indeed.  

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

Psalm 139: 14