Dear Younger Me (You Don’t Need To Be Thanked)
Dear Younger Me,
You don’t need to be thanked. In serving others, of course it feels good when someone tells you they appreciate what you did. But, when you expect them to say thank you or rely on that affirmation to feel good, that isn’t right. I know you want to be appreciated and recognized, but that isn’t the heart of humility that Jesus displayed. He didn’t want the disciples to tell him “thank you” after He washed their feet, but he wanted to show His love for them and give them an example of how to serve each other. It didn’t matter how they responded at all.
So when you serve, do so out of love for Christ and out of love for the one you are serving. And remember before God that service to Him does not mean He owes you anything, because without Jesus, you would owe Him everything. Luke 10:17 says, “‘So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
He calls you to serve, so serve, expecting nothing, not even a thank you in return.
Love,
Megan
Have you ever been resistant to something? You give a hard no, dig your heels in, deny it as long as possible …
Hopefully I’m not the only one! I don’t want to admit this, but I am a bit hard-hearted when it comes to a particular area of my life. I want to do God’s will, I ask Him to lead me, but … well, that’s the problem.
But I’m scared. But it makes me uncomfortable. But I’ve never been there or done that before. I don’t know what’s ahead or care to find out.
Unfortunately, that’s my reality. And I have to be real about it in order to surrender and obey.
It is the desire of my heart to be moldable, cooperate with God, and follow eagerly where He leads. Why then would I draw a line in the sand and refuse to cross it?
Romans 8:7-8 says, “The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” But, it goes on: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
Cue Galatians 5:16-17. “I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
The believer’s relentless battle comes to mind. Paul expresses (rather intensely) in Romans 7,
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate … For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
– Verses 15, 19
My sin can be just as much what I’m not doing as what I am doing. Reluctance and hesitancy prove my fleshly tendency to turn from God. They may not be grievances I am actively committing, but they are just as errant. In fact, I am knowingly (and stubbornly) withholding from God what is rightfully due Him.
That’s not good. But I have to be honest with myself, you, and ultimately God, in order to submit to His desires and let Him work on my heart.
God’s Provision: It seems like God’s patience is a well that never runs dry! He does with us like He did with Israel, as He showed them through a potter and the prophet Jeremiah.
And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do (18:4).
Word of the Week: Sculpt. Meaning carve or create, the original implication was to hollow out. I need to be emptied—scooped out, maybe!—so the Lord can give me a new heart
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Keep going to church. There are Sundays you’d rather sleep in, you’d rather not dress up, you’d rather not sit and listen to a sermon. But that’s just where you need to be. You need to be where God’s people are, because that’s important. You need that time to sit and learn more of Him, to glorify Him, to be with Him. You aren’t perfect, and there will be Sundays you aren’t at church, but I hope that you will always value and prioritize to be there each week. It’ll seem revolutionary when it’s possible to watch church online, but I hope you’ll find that it’s just not the same as being there. And I think there’s something honorable to God about the commitment that it takes to get up, get ready, and go to the church itself. And you’ll realize someday that your favorite part of church is singing. There’s something so wonderful about singing with everyone else that you miss out on when you aren’t there with the body of Christ.
Don’t just go to church, either. Make it your home and your family. When you choose to get involved in the church and do life with its people, you realize how truly at home you can feel. It’s beautiful to walk into church to hands waving from friends and hear their hellos.
Hebrews 10:24-25 say, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” And Psalm 73:28 says, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” So keep going to church. It’s where you need to be.
Love,
Megan
It’s like the transformation between seasons, a home remodeling project, or the complete 180 your life has taken. Change is all around and within us, bringing about God’s redemption and restoration.
Day to day, that progress may not be evident. You don’t physically see your kids growing or watch the paint dry. And, at least for me, I find it difficult to recognize spiritual maturation in my heart when I live with myself every day.
But I am washed anew with comfort and gratitude when I receive Scripture’s truth.
As indeed He says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’
And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”
– Romans 9:25-26
God flips everything upside down and composes the most beautiful opposites! In Him everything has new meaning.
Isaiah 61 is one of many chapters about marvelous reversals. My spirit fixes on every word:
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
And that’s not all!
God’s Provision: “Instead of our shame there shall be a double portion,” it goes on, “Instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in the land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.”
I find my own testimony between those lines, while also pondering Bible stories and fellow believers’ witness—testaments to God’s power, compassion, and love working in perfect harmony to achieve His good, acceptable, and perfect predetermined will (Romans 12:2).
Word of the Week: Garden. Eden marks the beginning of humanity; eternal paradise awaits as our promised destiny. What a luxuriant image of flourishing life—the kind that overtakes us when we give ourselves to Christ!
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God,
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
– Isaiah 61:10-11
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Stuff is cool, but it’s just stuff. It’s awesome to have all the cool toys, and then when you get older, you’ll still want to hang onto that stuff because it’s yours and maybe your kids will play with them someday, but it’s simply just stuff. And those papers you’ll write throughout your years of school are awesome to hold onto for a time, maybe, but you’ll rarely look at them again. I know you’re afraid to get rid of stuff, because you might want to look back at something someday, whether for use or for the memories. Holding onto all the stuff for the fear that getting rid of it will be a bad idea is not helpful in the long run, because someday, you’re going to move into new homes and all that stuff has to be packed, transported, and stored. And you’ll realize that some of the things you’ve held onto aren’t worth saving.
You’ll learn as you get older what a nostalgic person you are, how you love the things of your past. But you really don’t need it all. And, what you donate or give away could be better used in someone else’s hands than yours. Someone you love will someday tell you that they love traveling light and not accumulating a lot of stuff. What a sweet thing to think about, as you remember that all this stuff will be left behind some day for the treasures stored up in Heaven (Matthew 6: 19-21).
Love,
Megan
Perhaps you’ve experienced the privilege of a gift that keeps on giving. That could be a true joy like family time, a season pass, or a beloved recipe. Or, an irritation—that ongoing car issue, the ugly curtains, or someone asking for more help than you already gave.
In my home, we call those “gifts that keep on giving.” Whether good or bad, they’re persistent and seem to pop up repeatedly. One of the more unfortunate occurrences is when one of us shares a cold with everybody else. On the flip side, there are helpful gifts, like the soft, warm blanket I brought back from Ecuador.
My life is full of perpetuating gifts of some kind or another. But by far the best one I’ve known is the Word of God. It is a pure treasure given to teach, equip, correct, encourage, mold, and serve us throughout our lives. The Bible has the capacity to speak to us every time we interact with it.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV
Indeed, the wisdom of God Himself is made available to us through the preservation and promulgation of His Word. David said God’s commandments made him wiser than his enemies (Psalm 119:98). Solomon taught prudence to the simple (Proverbs 1:4). Paul affirmed that God’s sacred writings gave wisdom to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15). And for those who reject the Word of the LORD, Jeremiah warns, they are dismayed and caught (8:9).
One of my friends recently expressed to me, “I’m reading in the Proverbs right now, and I didn’t realize there’s so much wisdom there! It’s just full of it, and I want to be too.” I also, am working through Romans, and desiring the same: a deeper understanding of God, who grants wisdom to those who need it and request it through faith.
God’s Provision:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
– James 1:5
God’s wisdom is not like the world’s. Rather, it is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere (James 3:17). By it, He founded the earth and established the heavens (Proverbs 3:19). His thoughts and ways are immeasurably higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Even His “foolishness” is wiser than men and His “weakness” stronger (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Word of the Week: Revelation. Romans 1:19-23 tell us that God has made Himself plain to us in such a way that we can know and perceive Him, giving us the chance to honor and thank Him. That is true wisdom, for anything else is folly and futility. The wise Creator “is blessed forever! Amen” (25).
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Learn to share in the things that make others happy. The selfishness in you wants to complain when your loves ones pick activities that you don’t find as much interest in, and your attitude might make an appearance, but when you look back at the moments you spent complaining during the activity your loved one loves, you’re going to regret that. Instead, realize that even though you might not find that TV show as entertaining, or you don’t live and breathe hiking a mountain, what is special about doing those things is doing them with the people you love. You appreciate it when someone watches your favorite movie with you, or any other time someone partakes in an activity you love even when it’s not their favorite. So, find joy in joining in, appreciating the things others love and appreciating the ones you love. It’s wonderful to see their joy in doing something they love or to laugh along with them in sharing the experience together. The Bible has a lot to say about complaining and grumbling, as well as loving others. Be aware of your stubbornness, knowing when to lay it down and choose the joy of time with your people. Because the smiles and the joy on their faces and the time spent together…it is all so beautiful.
Love,
Megan
You admire a friend’s gentleness or appreciate your pastor’s passion. You think back to a favorite elementary school teacher or high school coach who impacted you. Certain role models shape and guide us.
By God’s grace, I have many! But far above them all stands my Savior Jesus Christ.
A Type A personality with perfectionist tendencies, I used to be intimidated and frustrated by Jesus. I struggled through a difficult growing season in which I couldn’t grasp why God would set an absolutely unattainable expectation for humanity. “Be holy for I am holy,” He says. From Jesus’ own mouth comes the command, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
It didn’t make sense to me until the Lord started to chisel away at my hard, prideful heart, and open my eyes to His rich mercy. I still strive for godliness, but not by my own strength, only that of the Holy Spirit, following the faultless footsteps of Jesus Christ Himself (1 Peter 2:21).
Part of what God is revealing to me is His holiness.
There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. – 1 Samuel 2:2
His character demands ceaseless worship because He is worthy of all praise. God is the personification of perfection, wholly embodying flawless beauty and majestic power.
Another part is His grace.
God’s Provision: Romans 8 captures that for me. “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (3-4).
In His inexplicable grace, God lays bare man’s sin. The Law exposes depravity and underscores our need for a Deliverer—whom He also graciously provides.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly … God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us … We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5:6, 8, 11
The expectation truly is unattainable, but only if I rely upon my own efforts.
Word of the Week: Noble. Because of His righteousness, perfection, and humility, Jesus Christ is beyond comparison and exalted above all. What He did for us always wrecks my heart and blows my mind.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
– Philippians 2:5-8
The Gospel in short? God requires perfect holiness … I don’t cut it … Jesus does … He swapped places with me so I can receive His perfection and its glories … !!!!! Praise God!!
What a role model.
Abby
You pull out of your driveway, noting the U-Haul a few doors down. Your youngest is in the backseat glued to the tablet, and the teenager beside you is texting away. On your way into town, you pass a Catholic school, Methodist church, or Chinese restaurant. At the store, the cashier greets you with a vague accent. On the radio, you discover a Spanish station. At home, you hear news from various parts of the country and world.
Diversity is all around us, not as a political agenda or forced policy, but as a natural expression of God’s beauty. He made us all different and loves us all the same.
Whether its location, age, religious affiliation, culture, ethnicity, or language, you and I are surrounded by those unlike us.
Your new neighbors could be from a nearby town, another state, or distant country. While your kids exist in a technological world, your parents might struggle to navigate their screens. The town you live in has its unique population, demographic, and selection of restaurants and businesses.
One thing I’ve noticed is that, even in settings when I resemble the group of people I’m with, there are many variations among us. Different “culture” could simply mean someone likes to bake and knows a lot about it, while I am not seasoned in that department. To me, this brilliant multiplicity speaks to God’s sovereignty.
And He [God] made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. – Acts 17:26, ESV
Not only that, but we all have a commonality. The following verse states every human’s purpose: “that they should seek God.” For, “‘In Him we live and move and have our being,’ … and ‘we are indeed His offspring’” (verse 28).
I love that! No matter where we come from, what we look like, or how we dress, we are bound together in this one quality. We speak an assortment of languages, celebrate distinct holidays, and uphold varying values; yet we are all human, in need of the same Savior.
Romans 3 explains, “All, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God … There is no distinction: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (verses 9-11, 23).
God’s Provision: Praise God, we have a High Priest who knows us and made Himself like us! Jesus, Son of God, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and give us confidence to approach Him (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Word of the Week: Reconciliation. God declares us right in His eyes when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, enabling us to share that good news and new life with others. We’ve “been there” and can relate to our brothers and sisters in mercy.
The Kingdom of God is upon us. May the Lord mold me into a compassionate conduit of His truth and love!
Dear Younger Me,
Congratulations, it’s your wedding week! In all your longing as you wait for this week, I want you to know God sees you as you are growing up and maturing, and He is growing you and shaping you and His timing is oh, so good. The time you prayed by your bed like Grandma did hoping for a man to marry, the prayer request you wrote in your prayer journal that you could marry this man. All the times you’ve told him, “I wanna marry you” and the joy of him down on one knee. You’re going to stand at the beginning of this week and feel how surreal it is, how beautiful it is, and see how God answers prayer.
As you grow, you’ll see the world has so many messages for women, but I hope that right now you’ll press into what the Bible speaks to godly wives. Find joy in being a helper. Find joy in humble submission.
Praise God for His every gift to you. I wish you could know now how amazing the gift of this man is. How much he loves God, how handsome he is, his tender heart…the list goes on. Until then, celebrate the ways God works and the blessings He has in store for you that are better than you imagine yourself. Oh, the joy that is to come!
Love,
Megan