Dear Diary,
We leave for the coast and boat at 6:00 PM. I don’t have any close friends going, so it will be a real test of my ability to meet and relate to new people in a new situation.
It’ll be a challenge; I eagerly await it, though I wish I could somehow prepare for it!
C
To Teenage Me,
So what you’re saying is that you like your spontaneity carefully planned, is that it?
All kidding aside, what you’re also saying is that you prefer to approach people like projects. As if advance preparation will guarantee that the encounter goes well?
Relationships don’t work this way.
Kiddo, here’s the truth: your social skills are pretty awful. You’re Anxiety Girl and Awkward Gal all rolled up into one nervous ball of please-like-me energy.
And here’s another truth: God knows it and is going to use it in ways you can’t possibly imagine.
So chill out. Relax. Don’t try so hard. Have some fun. Lose the check-list mentality and try just being yourself in the moment.
You’ll find that’s when the best friendships are usually born.
Judges 6:15-16
Love,
Your Future Self
Dear Diary,
Another Friday evening, another hectic week gone by.
By Tuesday I was going crazy — Lisa almost bought me a cage this afternoon!
On Monday…
C
To Teenage Me,
Mercy, girl, spare me yet another list!
Do you realize how often you recite your latest list?
To yourself, to try to calm yourself, which rarely works.
To your teachers, to beg for extensions on deadlines, which works often enough that you keep doing it.
To your friends, to get them to dive in and help you, which they often do.
Here’s a novel idea: What if you tried tossing your list? God keeps trying to get through to you, but until you’re a lot more “listless” (get it? list-less? as in…nevermind) you’re going to keep playing god in your life.
Two big problems with that:
1) You won’t like the results. Ever. No matter how long the list of things you get done.
2) You’ll totally miss what God’s offering, which is way better than all your lists combined.
Isaiah 30:15
Love,
Your Future Self
Dear Diary,
This weekend, I’m going through my room and clearing out everything that doesn’t need to be there.
Then, I’ll start to plan a new color scheme. I’d like to go aqua, but it depends.
But right now, I’m just going to worry about all the JUNK! I have a ton of stored stuff that I really do not need; it’s all gonna get sorted and most of it chucked!”
C
To Teenage Me,
Good luck with the new color scheme! You and your mom are going to have a doozey of a shopping trip to the bedspread store. Remember:
(a) She loves pink
(b) She’s where you got your stubborn streak
(c) Compromise is a beautiful thing.
As for the “junk” habit, you come by it honestly. Remember how crammed Grandma’s attic was with stuff she “might need some day”?
“Just in case…” feels like such a valid reason for hanging on. Until you have a garage and house stuffed with stuff.
Learn now to live light. To trust God to provide. That what’s worth keeping can’t be stored in a house but stays in your heart.
Matthew 6:19-21
Love,
Your Future Self
Your Turn!
What would you like to say to my “Teenage Me”?
What would you say to your “Teenage Me”?
Post a diary excerpt that shares what’s on your teenage heart!
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