The day you turned thirteen, you thought that twenty-one was so far away. You thought that surely by then, by twenty-one, you would have this whole life thing figured out. You would be a pro at this thing called adulting. You thought twenty-one seemed so grown up and by then surely...surely you would be everything you hoped to be. But really? Life doesn't always happen how you think it will. Your five and ten year plan that you wrote out so carefully is going to look so different in those five and ten years. Life is a whole lot different than you thought it would be. But different is a whole new beautiful. And, oh, it really is beautiful, dear. For what you will learn is that you certainly won't have it all together by twenty-one. And you for sure won't be a pro at adulting. But you are growing. You are getting there. For life is not a three-step process to everything you ever wanted. Life is a process with more steps than you thought it would have. But every step brings you closer to who you were created to be. To who He created you to be. Don't get so caught up in making everything happen at once. Don't become so concerned with making sure you have it all together by a certain age. Oh, and some pro adulting tips? Don't become so concerned with "growing up" that you lose your child-like wonder. If you want to sing and dance in the grocery store aisles, go for it. If you and your best friend want to stay up till midnight Skyping and singing VeggieTales, do it. Life really does go a whole lot faster than you think it will. I know twenty-one feels so far off when you're thirteen and you've only just begun to experience this season called "the teens." But it really will go a whole lot faster than you think. So don't keep waiting for someday to go do all those things you always said you would do. Don't wait for tomorrow to tell someone you love them. For before you know it you will look back and years will have passed you by and this...this is your life. Don't waste even the smallest of moments. If I could remind you of something as a teenager, it would be this: Don't worry what the world thinks about you. Do not care what they say. Prove them wrong. Prove them wrong and show them that a sixteen-year-old girl really can make a difference standing up for a cause she believes in. Prove them wrong and show them that a fourteen-year-old doesn't have to spend all summer playing video games and chasing cute boys, but instead she could seek what is greater by spending time with her Savior. Prove them wrong and show them that you have higher standards for yourself than everyone else and you know you were made for so much more than they try to tell you. The world thinks that by a certain age, you have to do this or that. By thirteen you'll hear the question, "Do you have a boyfriend yet?" By sixteen you'll hear, "Do you have your license yet?" By eighteen you'll be questioned, "Are you going to college?" And by twenty-one it'll be a mixture of all three. Don't be afraid to be different from their status quo. Success is not measured by them or by ages. Success is measured by God. By thirteen have you given your life to Christ? By sixteen have you followed His path for true love even though it is hard? By eighteen have you glorified Him with every gift He's given you? That's all that really matters in the end. Don't believe otherwise. As you grow, you are also going to discover that your plans don't always turn out how you think they should. I know you're a planner and you plan everything from your daily schedule to exactly what you want your life to look like by twenty-five. But, sweet soul, God's plans are different than yours. In fact, they're so much greater. You're not going to understand them at times. And sometimes? Sometimes they really are going to hurt. But do you trust Him? Do you believe that His love for you is greater than anything you don't understand? Don't let disappointment break you. Don't let hurt or the pain of this world turn you into someone you are not. Jesus is your shelter. I know at times it may feel like the storm is going to destroy you, but take heart...He still calms the waves and wind. There are going to be times when you feel left out and abandoned and those feelings are going to hurt. Girl, friendship can be hard. Don't push people away because of it. Remember those feelings and turn around and love people harder. Always include people, because you will remember how it feels to be left out. Don't miss the opportunity to love on your family and friends, the people God has blessed you with. Tell them you love them daily. And about hugs: You can never give too many hugs. You're not going to expect the physical limitations you will face as you get older. The way you will be sick and have to miss out on some things you really want to do. You do not have to prove your health struggles to anyone. Take the time to take care of yourself. It's going to be okay. His grace is sufficient in all of your weakness. And if there is one last piece of advice that I could give you, it would be this: Jesus is worth it all. It is gonna hurt. And oh, it's going to be hard. The truth is that you are going to want to give up. But He is still worth it. Don't forget that. Hold that truth close and cling to Him. Don't let go. Don't give up, dear. Fight for truth. Love God and love His people. That's what it comes down to. Live this messy, crazy, beautiful, amazing life. Don't waste it. Live it. You'll be so glad you did. Love from, An older me <3 PS: As a kid, whenever you saw a dandelion you would blow on it and make a wish. Don't forget that. Never lose the courage to dream and make a wish. God is still in the business of making dreams come true.
Brianna
5/3/2018 06:31:39 pm
Thank you so very much, Bella dear. This touched my heart. <3
Bella Morganthal
5/4/2018 08:18:57 pm
Thank you for reading, dearest <3 5/3/2018 10:37:14 pm
This was beautiful, Bella, the photo and the article, so inspiring and encouraging, thank you so much for sharing! <3<3<3
Bella Morganthal
5/4/2018 08:19:20 pm
Thank you so much, love! <3
Bella Morganthal
5/4/2018 08:19:39 pm
Thank you, sweet girl :) <3
Anna P.
5/5/2018 07:58:19 am
I loved reading this—it was such an important and beautiful letter that had some really good advice! 😊
Bella Morganthal
5/13/2018 10:16:22 pm
Thank you so, so much, Anna dear!
Bella Morganthal
5/13/2018 10:16:43 pm
So glad to hear that, Amie <3 Comments are closed.
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