Assignment: Write a short piece to your younger self as if you were a different person. Offer advice or give a message you wish you had received as a child or young adult. This could be in the form of a letter, poem, story, testimony… (400 words)
Dear Sadie,
I have loved watching you grow and appreciate your kind heart, although I notice that
you do get into scrapes because you don’t know how to say ‘no’ to your friends. I
also see that you are being enticed by the world and you yearn to experience those
things that some of your friends are doing. You think you will have more fun by being
in control of your own life. This is a lie. Those rules you think are holding you back
from the good life are in fact designed to not only keep you safe but to give you life in
all its fullness. Having control of your own life is scary and leads you to make choices
that can hurt you. Trust God, believe He has your very best interests in mind
because He loves you deeply. Stay friends with other believers and see how much
fun you can have without compromising God’s standards. Life lived for God is never
boring; in fact it is the opposite, it is hugely rewarding.
Even when life is difficult, trusting God will build strength, courage, perseverance and
character—excellent life skills that will enable you to succeed in the ways that matter
most. Above all, you will have hope; hope in a God who will not fail you; the
confidence that God is faithful; the expectation that His purposes for you will be
fulfilled; the knowledge of eternity. Hope is the anchor.
Don’t put off your dreams. You will be busy working, you will be busy raising a family,
you will be busy with life and somehow you will feel that you don’t have time to
pursue your dreams. You think there will be time later but it doesn’t happen. When
you retire you will still find it hard to make time. Start carving out time in your busy
schedule right now and see the wonderful fruit you produce. God gave you a gift and
you should use it to bless others.
So my dear grand-daughter, my advice for you is simple. Hold tight to God and you
will have the adventure of your life with no regrets. Wise choices now are the
beginning of wisdom. And get cracking on that dream, set aside time on your
calendar and just do it!
Much love,
Grammy
Straightening Out Misconceptions
by Deborah McDermott
I was seldom shocked by anything but as I bumped into the girl in the supermarket, I felt like I was
looking at the teenager I’d once been. Giving myself a shake, I stepped aside to make way for her at
the same moment she did the same for me. My heart ached as her face went bright red. I had been
just as shy at her age.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“No apology needed,” I replied. “Who are you shopping for?”
“My Mom. She wants a hairnet for a play she’s in!”
“My Mom used to wear hairnets too but they went out of fashion years ago. I doubt you’ll find one
but we can look together if you like.”
Her eyes lit up. “I’d like that very much.”
As we browsed the aisles, I found myself remembering the mistakes I’d made as a young woman.
Misconceptions I’d had about myself and the expectations of others were to blame and I sensed my
companion had wrong ideas about herself too—particularly in the areas of love and acceptance. My
suspicions were confirmed when a handsome man walked past without giving her a nod. The
disappointment in her eyes told me she knew the fellow and would have kissed his feet had he
cocked his finger at her. I’d fallen for that and all it reaped was guilt and heartbreak.
“Good looks aren’t everything,” I murmured. “It takes character, honour and respect for a
relationship to work.”
“Wh… what do you mean?” she stammered.
I hesitated, wondering how to answer without reinforcing her feelings for a man who might ruin her
life. Then it came to me.
“When I was your age, all I wanted was to be accepted for who I was; to marry someone I loved and
who really loved me back. But I was shy, pimply and gawky so it was ages before I started dating.
Sadly, I’d become so desperate for love that I looked for it in the wrong places and the wrong men.
Men who used and abused me. Had I waited for the right man, I would have saved myself so much
pain. So my advice is to wait for a man who honours and respects you—a man with whom you feel
safe. He might not be handsome but you’ll recognise him when he comes into your life. I know I
did.”
Wisdom Wanted To Talk
by Ray Burton
Ray rocked slowly back and forth in the creaky rocking chair, holding baby
Zac securely in his lap.
One hundred and 4 years of memories beaming through his eyes to his 21st
great, great grandchild. He didn’t want them, but his memories demanded a
voice. Wisdom wanted to talk.
Memories swirled around with an unrestrained passion, pictures of his
successes, failures and disappointments invaded his consciousness. Pushing
logic aside, he began to speak to Zac like he understood. As if his words
could and would control his future.
“Don’t let fear hold you back. Be big and bold and do what you believe is
right. God’s love will drive out those pesky nasties.
“Love with abundance, because love determines the quality of your life.”
“Give without restraint, because in giving you will enrich your life with
treasures more valuable than silver, gold or grown-up toys.”
“Never stop learning, because in your learning you’ll discover the path to
God’s perfect will.”
“Do not dwell in the past, for you cannot change it, but observe it with a
critical eye and ear for learning and appreciation.”
“Do not dwell in the future which you cannot reach, but dream and set goals
as your heart is stirred by the desires of God’s heart.”
“Live in the moment and embrace it with all the passion you can muster. For
it is in the moment that you affect life for all eternity.
With deep conviction and passion, Ray continued, “Examine and understand
the cross of Christ. Follow its path and destiny. For the cross is how we truly
enter the fullness of life.”
“It is through the cross that Jesus paid the price of ultimate sacrifice, laying
down His life for the benefit of us and anyone who would simply believe in
him.”
“It is through the cross that Jesus was able to send the Holy Spirit so we
could have intimacy, power and purpose.”
“So, my dear Zac, what do you think of that?” asked Ray with a grin on his
face as he touched Zac’s nose with his own.
Zac gave a knowing smile, followed by an explosive burst of baby laughter.
“Ha, so you think my words of wisdom are funny, do you?” said Ray as he
tickled his tummy.
“Well, I have another one. It’s the most important one of all. Do you want to
know what it is? Of course, you do. Silly me.”
“It’s actually something that God Himself said thousands of years ago.”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and
your neighbour as yourself. Jesus even quoted it Himself, you know”.
Zac’s little chuckle was enough confirmation for Ray to believe that he was
being heard.
“There’s one final thing you must do in life if you want to enjoy it to the
max. Treasure the desires of God’s heart. Treat them as your most valuable
gift everyday of your life, for then you will know God like no other.”
Where Do Kittens Come From?
By Pamela Lowrey
Growing up we seemed to have a forever tabby cat. He was old and grumpy. A regular tom
cat who suddenly vanished and reappeared two or three days later—a sorry sight, thin,
scratched and bitten. My job was to care for Tinker until his wounds healed and he was ready
for another fighting rampage!
Next door lived Belle, a pretty lady cat who was very soft, friendly and cuddly. I couldn’t
fathom what was wrong with Tinker who often stunk and never enjoyed being picked up or
cuddled. All my school friends seemed to have delightful playful little kittens, while we just had
old Tinker.
One day, out the window I saw Tinker on next door’s driveway awkwardly straddled on top of
Belle. I yelled to mum to come outside. The neighbours appeared, too. “Tinker’s killing Belle,”
I wailed. The neighbours looked startled and gazed open mouthed at Mum. There was
silence until Mum piped up and looked at me. “Don’t you know what they are doing?’ I shook
my head. “No you wouldn’t. You never grew up on a farm! Tinker is not hurting her. It’s okay!”
From all the noise that was eminating, I was not so sure.
Embarrassed, I went back inside, still not knowing and trying to work out what living on a farm
had to do with anything. Nothing more was said.
A few weeks later the nice minister’s wife smiled and beckoned me over to the fenceline and
asked if I would like to see Belle’s kittens. “Would I?” I didn’t need a second invitation. There
in the bottom of the daughter’s wardrobe was Belle curled up with two beautiful little kittens
looking just like their mother. “You may come over to visit and play with the kittens whenever
you wish.” I felt like I was in heaven. Even old grumpy Tinker didn’t seem quite so bad now.
But I still didn’t know where the kittens came from … at least not until a few years later.
Footnote:
Ignorance is not the best policy. My parents were great but grew up in a more private era
where such things were never voiced. Just before adolescence, I finally found out after
sneakily reading ‘The Facts of Life’, a Government publication concealed under lock and key
in the corner of my parent’s wardrobe. Better late than never!