{Letters to my Daughter} {No. 4}

Hi there sweet girl. I just left you in your bedroom studying frantically for a French final. What a long day you’ve had. We talked about this already, but writing it down can’t hurt. You know, it gives you something to come back to later when you need it. 

Seems like you’ve landed in a situation that is a little bit aggravating and a lot bit worrisome for you. When you find yourself in a group of people that you didn’t necessarily choose, it can be tricky. I want to remind you of two things. 

1. You are where you are by design. Sometimes we make the best choice we know how to make and once we’re in, things seem to fall apart. You look around and you think “I did not sign up for this!” But, you did. And you are exactly where you’re meant to be. You know how I know? I know it because I watched you walk through the process of making the decision. You did all the things one should when there’s a decision to be made. You gathered all the info you could, weighed the pros and cons. You got some advice from people you trust. And, you prayed about it. I was SO proud of you for walking through the process. When you commit to walking through the process, you learn to respond rather than react. You learn to make decisions that make sense in the bigger picture, the ones that help move you toward the goals and dreams God’s given you. That’s a good thing. God has His eye on you and He promises that He is with you.
2. Nothing is wasted when we remember God is for us. If you trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be, you can be sure that God has something valuable for you to learn. He will use circumstances and even people to help you grow, to strengthen your faith, to increase your trust in Him. That’s hard when you’re in the middle of the mess. (Locker room convos can be rough.) But, it’s true. Remember to keep talking to God and listening. He wants to help. Ask Him to show you the thing He wants you to learn. And, He will. 

Here’s the thing: You’ll get through the season that you’re in. Not only will you get through it, you’ll emerge on the other side with a light that shines a bit brighter than before. And, you’ll know a little bit more about God. If you let Him, He’ll teach you something about His character and about yours. You’ll understand the depth of His love a bit more than you did before. That, sweet girl, is priceless. 

Keep going. One day at a time. Be strong. Be brave. 

I’m so proud of you.