Lisa Notes: A letter to a younger me

A letter to a younger me

Dear younger Lisa,

You think times are tough now?
You have no idea!

No.
Given the opportunity, that’s not what I should say to my younger self (even though it would prove true).

I’d rather her know this . . .

Dear younger Lisa,

You don’t really get it yet. That’s okay. He does.

You’re going to find that matters more.

You’re on the verge of learning something bigger than your church, bigger than your religion, and yes, (even though you might find this blasphemous right now) bigger than your Bible.

What you can’t see clearly now—but you’ll zoom in on later—is it’s not about a system; it’s about a Person.

Follow the Person.

Even when it means leaving the crowd.
And sometimes it will.
That’s okay, too.

You’re going to find yourself in situations that are too big for you. And you won’t know how to make them right.

You won’t have to.
Let Him.

Learn sooner rather than later that being right isn’t the end goal. Being His is.

You’ll never be right enough because you’ll never know enough or be capable enough to walk it out even if you did know.

So stick with Who you know, not what you know.

I know you like to be über-prepared for what’s to come. (Sorry; that won’t change.)

But frankly, there’s no way you can prepare now for every situation then. (Most won’t even happen. Some will.)

The better use of your time (yeah, that efficiency idol won’t die easily) is to invest in knowing the One who’ll walk with you into every situation.

Follow Him.

And you know what His main direction will be? Love.

Be more intentional about loving than about proving doctrine. Loving than being right. Loving than being good.

Your doctrine, your righteousness, your goodness—they won’t be enough. His will be.

Ultimately, choosing Love IS right. Love is where Grace lives. Where Freedom breathes. Where Joy delights.

You’ve got nothing to prove if you’ll stick with Love.

So keep growing, changing, thinking. But most importantly, loving.

When in doubt, love.

When afraid, love.

When sad, happy, tired, energized, love.

Yeah, do it with a church, maybe inside a religion, and deep in your Bible for sure, but don’t let it be those things. Let it be Jesus.

Follow Jesus.

There will be some tough times ahead (heads up for 2010). And some surprises (ever heard of El Salvador?).

And plenty of amazing gifts. Those gifts? Oh, my! You can’t even imagine . . . but I won’t give it away. Find out for yourself . . .

Follow Him.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

* * *

What lesson do you wish you could have learned earlier?

Comments (41)

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Amy Nabors · 664 weeks ago

"Be more intentional about loving than about proving doctrine." This. Yes this. Great post!

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

Thanks, Amy.
Our roots may have different names, but they must be awfully similar….

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beverleyhirst63 50p · 664 weeks ago

Follow Him - yes i have learnt this lesson
My recent post The Gift of Time

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

I wish I learned it even younger than I did. And I want to learn it even more clearly in the years to come...
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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shrinkthecamel 29p · 664 weeks ago

I actually wrote a letter to my younger self for a writing project a few weeks ago. I was pretty tough on myself, knowing how much life would beat the crap out of me. I can see some of that same tone with yours, except you are more encouraging to yourself! I especially appreciate your first few comments on following "the system" rather than the person. Big difference. Yes, I was caught up in that, too. I think the getting beat up part of life is what pushes us out of those idealistic/dogmatic trappings and into the bigger picture of love.

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

You're making a valid point---that "getting beat up part of life" definitely pushes us more quickly to adapt new (and hopefully truer!) ways of thinking. I've found it to work that way in my life. It should make me fear less for those times still coming in my future...but still not crazy about the pain that also accompanies it. ;-) But it's worth it in the end...
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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@FC_Melissa · 664 weeks ago

Yes! This is beautiful, Lisa. My first church had some people who were vocal and legalistic, and I thought that was how we had to be. I think your way, to choose Love, is what the Lord intended.

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

You get what I'm saying. :-)

But I shudder to think how many times *I* was that vocal and legalistic person too. And it makes me wonder in what ways am I still that person now, unbeknownst even to myself? Lord, grace now and always.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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enthusiasticallydawn 40p · 664 weeks ago

Oh., this is beautifully said, Lisa. I feel it, hear it and appreciate that message to yourself. It just resonates Him!
My recent post Dear Younger Me {Faith Barista Jam}

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

"It just resonates Him!" - I love encouragement to do that. Thank you.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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Mrs. H. · 664 weeks ago

"what" you know is never enough, is it? Love this. Came from Faith Jam:)
My recent post What I Know Now

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

Exactly. Our knowledge is never enough. It's all or nothing Jesus. All grace.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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panda444 30p · 664 weeks ago

Such a beautiful letter to your younger self Lisa. Your advice is right on; follow Jesus. It's all about relationship and love.

I loved doing this exercise with Bonnie. It was hard but good.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
My recent post What I Know Now

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

Yes, it was a difficult exercise to do...there are so many things my younger self should have known. :-) But like you've said, God doesn't waste any of it, and he has taken even those things that we didn't know and used them. Love you!
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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fsamons 60p · 664 weeks ago

Oh man, where would I start. I guess I'd say something like, "You knucklehead... It's not all about you! Until you put yourself last, you will live in misery... Their is the greatest joy in the love and sacrifice for others.. Trust God's word, try it, test Him, He cannot fail."

Then I'd kick the younger self in the seat of his pants...

Excellent post and question Lisa, ouch!
My recent post TROY

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

So maybe it's a good thing we really can't reach back to our younger selves. :-) We might not be gentle enough. And we probably wouldn't listen anyway. I'm sure I had people telling me these things all along; I just wasn't wise enough to hear them... Thankful for the grace and patience he's given us to get us this far.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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upliftingwords 35p · 664 weeks ago

What a fantastic post! I wonder what I would write to my "younger self". I'll be thinking on that today:)
My recent post Dirt: What You Have In Common With Flowers…

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

You should definitely write a post about it and let me know when you do. :-) It would work well with what you've already written today.
My recent post A letter to a younger me

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upliftingwords 35p · 664 weeks ago

I surely will.
Thanks, Lisa..
My recent post Dirt: What You Have In Common With Flowers…

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KristineMac 92p · 664 weeks ago

Such a great post. We must follow HIM.
My recent post What I Know Now

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

He's the only Way. I'm thankful he issues the invitation to follow.
My recent post New Bible memory challenge: It’s coming

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nikolehahn 45p · 664 weeks ago

Yes, it is about people. It's about community and realizing we aren't God and that the Holy Spirit moves. As always good wisdom from you.

2 replies · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

Thanks, Nikki. I told my daughter today that while I am proud that she wants to get A's in college (yet to be foreseen if she does! ha), I'm more proud of her goal to know by name every driver of the transit buses she's going to ride every day. It is about people! I still have a hard time remembering it myself.
My recent post New Bible memory challenge: It’s coming

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nikolehahn 45p · 664 weeks ago

That's a lovely goal.

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Lynn Severance · 664 weeks ago

Excellent post, Lisa and a good exercise to put together a letter to one's younger self. It probably could be done every 10 years as each decade brings so many changes. Relying on our foundational relationship with HIm is all that we can find to be consistent - and Love as He is Love.

As I contemplate returning to a place on the Oregon coast where I went 20 years ago after my early retirement from teaching, I am so aware of the 49 year old "me" and had not a clue what these following 20 years would hold. I plan to take my journal from that period of time 20 years ago and contemplate what was important "then" and how the Lord has led. I hope to put a blog post together on it - if possible!

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

How special it will be, Lynn, to have that journal from 20 years ago with you! You are such an awesome example of living an intentional life. I'll look forward to hearing more your experiences with the Lord in Oregon; I know He's as excited about the time alone as you are.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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tinuviel · 664 weeks ago

Trust and surrender make for a lot more joy than white-knuckling my way through life trying to avoid pain and affliction. Also, endurance is one of God's big lessons in this life, so don't give up. Christ in you is tougher than you think.

I love some of the things you wrote here!
My recent post Surprised by Fellowship

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

Unfortunately I've done (and still continue to do) a lot of white-knuckling, but I know it's not the best way to live. "Trust and surrender"--yes, that's the joyful way, the way Christ invites us to live.

"Christ in you is tougher than you think." Beautiful!
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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bethinnc 11p · 664 weeks ago

Lisa, I haven't been to visit in way too long! Please forgive me!

I loved your letter. It made me smile. I could have written some of the same advice to myself! You're right ... follow Jesus ... follow love.

Many blessings to you!
Beth

1 reply · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

Good to hear from you, Beth! Hope all is well with you in your neck of the woods.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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Katie · 664 weeks ago

"You’ve got nothing to prove if you’ll stick with Love."

What great advice to tell yourself......... and the rest of us. Thank you Lisa!
My recent post What I Know Now

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

I love that the best advice--the kind we hear from Jesus--is always timeless and applicable to us all. Love you, Katie.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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gmthul 17p · 664 weeks ago

"So stick with Who you know, not what you know." I love this, Lisa! What a great letter. I really enjoyed reading it. A lot to learn - even for me, at 33! :-)

4 replies · active 664 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

I remember 33. :-) I still have so much to learn too. I'm glad we never have to stand still in the growth process.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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gmthul 17p · 664 weeks ago

Lisa, I would've sworn we were the same age! And yes - thank GOODNESS we are never standing still. Although at times I definitely feel like it's a "one step forward, two steps back" walk!
My recent post Stretching toward each other

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen 33. 16 years ago, to be exact. So I’ll take that as a compliment. :-)

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gmthul 17p · 664 weeks ago

You look like early 30's, Lisa - you are 'aging' VERY gracefully! :-)
My recent post Stretching toward each other

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Faith Barista Bonnie · 664 weeks ago

"You’re going to find yourself in situations that are too big for you. And you won’t know how to make them right.

You won’t have to.
Let Him."

Oh, boy, Lisa. Did you write this for me. I think so. ;)

I loved hearing your letter to younger Lisa. It's sparks of wisdom wrapped in beautiful lyrical poem -- thank. you. So good to be here again with you.
My recent post What I Know Now: A Letter To My Younger Self

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

It's definitely good to be hearing your voice again, Bonnie. I can't imagine all the pain you've been suffering, but I know the Lord will continue to bring you healing and to an even brighter place than you've ever known. You are a light for Him to so many of us.
My recent post Am I self-righteous?

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Caroline · 664 weeks ago

I love this: "You don’t really get it yet. That’s okay. He does.
You’re going to find that matters more."

And this: "I know you like to be über-prepared for what’s to come. (Sorry; that won’t change.)" <-- I hear you on that, sister!

I need to read this everyday: "it’s not about a system; it’s about a Person.
Follow the Person."

And this is huge: "Be more intentional about loving than about proving doctrine. Loving than being right. Loving than being good." And a really good point. Often we talk about loving over selfishness, good over evil. But what you touch on here is so important. "Being good" is "good," but it's not *it.* Loving is *it.*

Thanks, Lisa. (As usual.)
My recent post What I (Don't) Know Now

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Lisa notes 103p · 664 weeks ago

I ran across a picture this afternoon that I had saved a few months ago: "God first, goodness second." It seems so contrary to my nature to ever say "goodness second." And I know that goodness and God don't contradict!--but still it's a matter of am I trying to be good above all else, or am I looking to Him above all else?

I'm glad you get me. We definitely are sisters in many ways, Caroline. :-)
My recent post Links I like (8/18/12)