Dear High School Me,

Dear Highschool Me,

 

 Hey! It’s me! Your older and “wiser” self.
I know that you think you know who you are. I know that you think that you know what you’re going to achieve and when you’re going to achieve it. I know that you won’t listen to me right away, but when the time comes… you will think about my words.

You already know how important God is. Well make Him even more important. Appreciate all of those times you are obligated to go to church to learn about and worship God, since you’re the preacher’s kid. Those times in church will help you become closer to God and will help you learn all that you need to know about becoming a better Christian. Plus, your Sunday School teacher will teach you all that there is to know about Christianity. Yes, you need to do the homework that he gives you. It’s more important than your school work. God should be your first priority. Keep Him there.

 

That family of yours? You know, the one that has been through almost everything to tear it apart and is still together? Yeah, that one! Make them your second priority, since God is first. Your family should always come before everything else and after God. Those times that you’d rather be anywhere else other than home? Forget it. Stay home. They need you just as much as you need them. Just because they’re always there, doesn’t mean that they will always be there.
Spend time with your daddy. He’s doing everything that he can to make sure you have everything that you could possibly want. Go hunting with him. Go ask him questions about what he’s doing while he’s working on that old truck he bought. You know how much he loves teaching and working on stuff. Take the time to tell him what’s going on in your life. Even though he may act like he’s happy with all that you are, he’s still scared that you’re growing older and that he doesn’t have enough time in the world to spend with you. You’re his babygirl.
Spend time with your momma. She’s so beautiful. She is a perfect role model and even though you are taller than her, you will look up to her for so much wisdom in the years to come. Help her in the kitchen. Take notes on all of those recipes she cooks and all of those cleaning secrets she has used over the years. She will cry the day that you pack up your car and leave home. Don’t let her strong demeanor keep you from thinking that she isn’t sad about you growing up. She’s just keeping it together, because she’s the glue that keeps everything together. She will be okay after you leave, but there will be times when you will cry and hurt for leaving. It will be hard, but you will grow from it, I promise.
That annoying brother of yours… boy oh boy. He’s a tough boy. Don’t let that fool you, though. He’s so soft on the inside and he needs your help. He’s learning to express himself more and he needs you to let him be him. Don’t judge him so much. He may be disabled in some ways, but in every other way: he is able. I know that you have always believed in him and will always believe in him, but you need to tell him that more. Build his confidence more. He needs to hear it from you. He looks up to you and when you leave, he won’t understand. He will miss you. He will be okay though, don’t worry.
Your Grannie is a special part of your life. She has been and will be there for you. Don’t take advantage of that. Tell her how much you appreciate her and how much you love her.

Your family is there to teach you what family is all about. Don’t take advantage of them. Not that you have or will, just keep remembering to not take advantage of anything good. Especially your family. I know you’re wanting to socialize and make friends. Your family ARE your friends. Sometimes your only friends. They aren’t perfect and you definitely aren’t perfect either. But you are beautiful and your family helped you become that way. God gave them to you to help shape you and to help you be the best version of yourself you can be. They may let you down at some point, but they have better intentions for you than you can ever have for yourself. Don’t forget to listen to what they have to say and you will definitely learn how much they care about you and your choices.

Those friends that you’ve accumulated? They are important, but they will let you down. They are human, just like you are. They won’t be there for everything and they won’t care enough to get to know everything about you, especially through the changes you will go through. There are a few that will make you think that they will always be there and that they will always be your “best friends”, but they won’t be. Don’t let them be. I’m not saying don’t have friends, because you will always make friends everywhere you go. I’m saying: Don’t let them be your “best friends”. You will grow out of a few of them and some will grow with you, but nothing will ever be the same after you graduate. Nothing at all. No matter how hard you try for it to be. Then when you get married, it’s important that you fill up your “best friend” spot in your heart with your spouse. If you do that, you will have more of yourself to give to your significant other.

Those boyfriends that you focus on? You’re probably thinking that I’m going to tell you not to focus on them at ALL. No, I’m not going to tell you that. I trust your heart and judgement. Even though I know that you’ve been through weird relationships with friends and boys. Don’t let them discourage you. You are going to get hurt. Many times. Don’t let that keep you from your relationship with God. Each one of those boys that you’re going to have a relationship with will lead you to the one God has made for you. I’d like for you to experience every little bit of pain that they cause you, so that you can get away from them as soon as possible so that you can meet the man that will be your husband. I want you to focus on those things that you like about them, but don’t let that cover up all of the bad things. You have a habit of only looking at the good in people and not seeing the bad things. Well, when you’re dating someone, it’s important to look at the bad things too. Because when you get married, you’ve got to love the bad things too. Focus on the good things and you will find a man that has every single one of those good things and more. God will bless you with a man that will show you the love that you deserve. Nothing like the “love” that those other boys will show you. I bet that will make you think twice before you lock lips with that boy you’ve been dating for the past few weeks. Oh yeah, that one boy that keeps manipulating you and bringing up things from the past, claiming that he cares about you more than ever… laugh in his face and just tell him thank you for showing you what you DON’T need in your life. You are better off without him that close to you in your life. You know who I am talking about. He’s been there since before highschool. Don’t let him get to you and in the middle of your relationships. He will change, eventually. Just be patient and don’t pay any attention to him. He will convince you that he is the only guy that knows you and that he will be the guy that you end up with. He won’t be. He’ll find him someone else to love and care that much about and he’ll leave you alone to let you live your own life.

 

Those books that you’re keeping your nose in, keep on doing that. Reading keeps you out of being a normal teenager and being a normal teenager is overrated. Those parties and clubs don’t need you, but you already know that. I don’t have to tell you that. There will be times, though, that you will wonder what it’s like, but don’t wonder too far into those thoughts. Be happy with who you are and you are not someone to take part in those activities. I’m actually craving those moments of just being able to pick up a book any time I want to and lose myself in it. You may be yearning for more right now, but don’t. Not yet. You have a life right now that needs to be enjoyed at every second of every moment, because those moments will be over before you know it. Don’t keep your nose in the books so much that you let everything pass you by.

 

School work may seem so very important to you and it may seem like it will determine your future. It is important, but it will NOT determine your future. I know that you love to learn and that you have fun studying, but don’t let that determine how you’re going to spend your future. I know that you have a lot of pressure on you to get good grades and go to college. Take a deep breath and pray to God about all of your choices, when the time comes to make those choices. Listen to what everyone around you has to say and don’t ignore it. BUT don’t let them be the ones to make any decision for you. This is up to you and God will not lead you astray. Trust Him. Trust me. Trust YOU. Let those people around you know that you are trusting God and if you don’t go along with what the people around you want you to do, remind them to trust in God too. Remind them to trust you, as well. They need comfort and reassurance from you, because they care about your future just as much as you do. Remind them that you may not know what you’re doing, but God does and that you will follow God’s direction no matter who it may upset. It might hurt sometimes, making choices, but it will make you grow. Not only will it make you grow closer to God, but it will make you grow closer to yourself.

 Those teachers that you are learning from are more than just teachers. They are there for you to look to for advice and guidance. They will look after you, no matter what you’re going through. The school that you are going to will be like your second home. Make sure you thank all of your teachers and let them know how much you appreciate them. They help shape you, just like your family and friends. Don’t overlook them, just because they aren’t as close to you as everyone else. They still care.

 

Those dance classes won’t last forever. You may see dance always being in your future, and it will be. Just not in the same sense as it is now. Right now, my dancing is to the music I listen to while I clean up the house. I’m not going to give you the exact details, because you will find out soon enough. Don’t give up on those extra workouts for dance and don’t just brush off your senior solo! Work harder and you will be better.

 

You might be overwhelmed with everything right now. But God has got this. Let Him have it and do your part.

 

I know that you were probably hoping that I was going to tell you what’s going to happen in the future and what your life is going to be like. I’m not going to, because it’s important that you live in the present and take each day one day at a time. Don’t dwell on the past and don’t dwell on the future. Dwell on the present and make sure you dwell on God.

 

I love you and all that you are. I have the upmost faith in who you are to make the right choices and live your life as God intended you to. Keep on keeping on and don’t let anything keep you from doing what God has planned for you.

Love always,

 

Your Future Self