“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”    -Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Dear Julia,

I don’t want you to grow up believing you can be anything you want.

When you were still in my womb, your daddy and I would talk about all the possibilities for your life. Volleyball, golf, track, teacher, doctor…everything parents dream of for their children. I even told you that I believed you can do anything you want in life. That is not true.

I want you to believe that you can do anything God equips you to do. I want you to believe that He has a plan for your life that he had laid out even before you were born. I want you to believe that He created you to be unique, and you are the only one who can fulfill the plan for your life as ordained by Him.

Ironically, you were rather quiet when you were born. That has never been the case since. You are strong willed and opinionated, often trying to blur the lines of authority. I too have this strong will, and I always thought it was a detriment. Later I learned that having a strong will is good…if you use it to honor God.

You cannot imagine the love I have for you. How I watch you when you are sleeping and laugh at the clever things you say. You cannot imagine the pain it causes me when I see that you are hurting or I feel that someone has treated you unfairly.

Even as much as I love you, it cannot compare to the love God has for you. His ways are not our ways. We cannot possibly understand how he loves us, grieves with us, and protects us when we do not realize we need it.

So here dear girl is my simple charge to you. Seek Him. Look first to Him before making any decisions that could impact the rest of your life. Seek counsel from those who have wisdom, but first and foremost, seek Him. Read His Word, pray earnest prayers and then wait. He will answer.

At times His answers will come amazingly fast. At other times you will feel like your hair will turn gray before He answers. Don’t ever believe the lie that you haven’t received an answer because He does not care. He can see the whole picture and His timing is always perfect.

There will be times when His answer is no. This can be so hard when you want something with all of your heart. Rest in the knowledge that His no is not arbitrary. He tells us no because He has a different plan.

There will be times when life will be so difficult you have to concentrate just to breathe, and you will wonder if following God is worth it. I assure you that it is not only worth it, it is the only way to find joy in the midst of your circumstances. Listen to the wise words of Peter in John 6:8, “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” Trust that He works all things for His glory and your good.

When I am driving, I can only see as far as the next bend in the road. Houses seem randomly scattered and roads twist and turn. When I am in an airplane, I marvel at the organization beneath me. Everything appears to be so carefully plotted and planned, not random at all. When you get frustrated, remember that your perspective is from the car. God’s perspective is from above. He knows what lies ahead.

Don’t spend your life wishing, striving and guessing. God has given you specific gifts just as He has all of His children. Pray for Him to reveal those gifts to you and His plan for you to use them. I promise you that though you will get frustrated and discouraged at times, His way will give you indescribable joy you didn’t think was possible.

I believe that you are precious and worthy. You can do anything He equips you to do. Seek Him first and let Him lead your path as you watch your life unfold.

Love,

Momma