a quick letter

Dear Julianna,

I'm writing you because I have some things I want to tell you. If I told you these few things that I've been thinking about you'd likely just roll your eyes. My words would probably fall on deaf ears because you're at the age where you're starting to realize mom and dad don't always know everything. You're beginning to believe that you might know a bit more about some things than we do and I know that'd only going to get worse as you get to be a teenager. At any rate, I want to tell you a few things I've learned.

I've learned that when you're 35 or 36 or 37 your worth doesn't come from other people. Your worth comes from yourself. No one can say how good you are or how worthless you are except you. Don't let other people determine how you feel about yourself. There's a reason God made you just the way you are and remember that He doesn't make mistakes.

I've learned that the best thing you can do in life is just be kind to people. Love others just the way you would want to be loved. You'll be amazed at how much easier it makes all of your relationships. If other people see that you are just plain kind, they'll want to be near you.

I've learned that confidence is worth a million bucks and a million bucks is a LOT. If you don't think you can hit a home run then you probably won't, but somehow if you begin to believe that you can run a marathon then you can. It might be natural to think that you can't do some things as well as others, but fight the urge to believe that. Believe in yourself and you can do whatever you want.

I've learned that it may seem like one of the most important things in life is to have a lot of friends, but it's not. Being popular doesn't guarantee happiness. The most important relationships are the ones that are honest and true. Just be the best you that you can be and your relationships will happen naturally.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

I certainly don't know everything, Jules, but I do know these things. Your 35-year-old self will look back on your almost-9-year-old self and wish you had known that your worth comes from you, that kindness is valuable, that having confidence is key, and popularity is not. I pray that God helps you grown and learn and that you become all that He made you to be.

Love you, Doodlebug!
Mama