Dear Freshman Year Leslie,
Well, the end of high school is here now. We made it. There are so many things that I would like to tell you, but I will just keep to the basics.
I know you think you know so much about God right now, but there is much more that you do not know than you do know. The good news is that you will learn a lot of these things during your time in high school.
You will learn about how undeserving you truly are of His grace. At this point in your life, you are a child of God, but you are caring a little too much about religion and not enough about relationship. You will eventually find out that having a relationship with God is more important than how "good" you are. In fact, your own goodness has no bearing on God's love for you. I wish back then I would have read the Bible and prayed by always simply enjoying His presence instead of sometimes checking it off my daily checklist like a job. Don't be discouraged though. Even those moments spent with God that you did not always take a second to rest in will help shape you into who you are becoming. No time spent with Him is wasted, but it is a lot more enjoyable when your heart is completely in it. You will discover that and will see God for He is really is: your best Friend, Heavenly Daddy, and Source of strength.
You will climb a mountain that will feel impossible to make it up. Keep climbing. Don't give up. The Lord is going to mold you and change your heart, and in order for this change to happen, you cannot stop climbing. Looking back will be a waste of time and will only bring you heartache. The enemy wants you to keep your eyes on the past, but God wants you to keep running toward the prize that is already yours in Him.
You will lose friends and make new ones. You will grow apart from some people and become close with them again. Appreciate everyone around you and really tune in to the purpose God has for them in your life. The most unlikely people might be the best friends you could find: always have an open mind. You will realize the value of true friendship and that it is a treasure not to be taken for granted.
You will become an aunt to the cutest little boy in the world. He will open a part of your heart you never knew existed and will show you what is important in life. Every time you look at him, you will be reminded of God's faithfulness and power. Just wait until you see his tiny face.
One last thing, give your all in school. Don't stress (too much). Everything always works out in the end no matter how impossible of a situation it may seem. Keep your priorities in order, and you will find success. By the way, you will be the Valedictorian of your class, but it will take some late night studying, lots of homework, and maybe some tears (you'll survive though, I promise). Just do not let school keep you from having fun and enjoying high school because trust me, there will always be some type of work to do, but there will not always be a Friday night football game to dress up and cheer at.
As long as everything you do is for God's glory, it will be worth it. Enjoy these next four years because they will not last forever even though it seems that way right now. You have so much to learn, but your Father will be with you every second & He will NEVER let go.
Oh, and Go Tigers!
Your Senior Self,
L. Jessie
