Letter 4: Experience Grace

Dear Me,

I know that you aren’t actually able to read these letters.   I can try to tell you now, four years later, to do things differently, but that isn’t how it works.

I can tell you to think that you are beautiful. 

I can tell you to focus on the big picture and I can tell you to open up with the people around you, but the reality is that you are going to make mistakes. 

You are going to decide that riding in the dryer one night is a good idea (sorry mom) and you are going to say things that hurt your friends. 

You are going to laugh too loudly in class (sorry Dr. Grabe) and you are going to let sarcasm rule your tongue.  

Your opinions will get the best of you and you will forget to think about others.  

You are going to decide that you are too busy to take care of yourself and you are going to decide that getting into the program of your dreams is more important than, really, anything else. 

 That girl in the dining center who is sitting alone?  You’re going to let her sit there, pushing carrots around her plate.  You’re going to feel bad about not going to talk to her, but it’s not going to rock you in the way it should. 

You’re going to make mistakes.

You’re going to wish that you did some things differently.

Let yourself learn.  Be teachable.  Experience GRACE.

Know that God is as close to you now as when you first asked Him to come into your life.  Know that He loves you now just as much as He always has. 

Know that you are not meant to be the perfect example of living a Christian life. 

Stop trying to get people to look at how “perfectly” you are living your life.  Instead, look to Jesus and point others to Him, the only perfect example. 

Live as Jesus did.

You won’t get it right.

In those moments, fall on your knees and worship the One who did get it right.

Worship the One who was tempted and never gave in.

Praise the One who died for you, knowing that you would fail Him.

Love the One who loved you while you were sinning.

Adore the One who paid the price that you never could afford. 

Learn from His example and allow the awe of what He did inspire you to live a life for Him. 

This is what I really want for you.

Love,

You

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Romans 5:1-2