11 Thoughts for you Now That You Are An Adult
It seems like only yesterday I was sitting here in the same spot putting together my message to you on the eve of your 16th birthday. I remember the sadness I was feeling as I realized that you had grown up and were entering a new phase in your life.
Since then so much has happened in your life….you have grown into a beautiful young lady. And to some extent you have emerged from your shell to take on things I never thought you would.
But here we are, just a couple of years later, and you are entering the next phase of your life. Today is your 18th birthday and now, legally, you become an adult. With that comes so many great opportunities…..but with those opportunities also comes some great responsibilities.
From this point forward your Mom and I won’t be making all of your decisions for you. Yes, while you still live at home we will guide you through many of the decisions that you need to make as you prepare your journey to college. But once you leave the nest, you will be faced with making so many of the simple daily decisions that up to this point have been ours. We have prepared you as best we could…..now it is up to you.
Having said that I wanted to take my last opportunity to impart to you some things I want you to know as you take your first steps as an adult. Over your lifetime there will be things that you come to your mom and I to seek advice for, but for now, these are the things I want you to know:
• You are a Strong Christian Woman Don’t Let Anyone Change That- Your Mom and I are so proud of the strong young Christian woman you have become. But as you leave the nest and venture into the world as a young adult you will find your beliefs challenged and at times ridiculed. Remember what you have always been taught….when you speak with others about your faith, do it in love and with the example that Christ set for us.
• Believe in God’s Miracles- I know that the world will tell you there are no such things, but never believe them. You are a living proof of God’s miraculous wonder. When all of medicine was telling your mom and I that our only chance to have children was to adopt, we kept our faith that God had his plan and he brought you into our lives.
• Pay It Forward- Remind yourself that somewhere along the line in your life someone did something for you that greatly changed your life positively. The best way to repay their kindness is to perform the same type of charitable act. It can be the simplest act and yet can have the greatest impact on that person.
• 1st Corinthians 13- You have probably had this read to you so many times you might remember it by heart. But remember these passages the most:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
• Your Body Is Your Temple- Any young man worthy of your heart will wait and will honor your boundaries. If he doesn’t, no matter how good looking and kind he may be, he isn’t the right person. Listen to your heart, God will tell you when the right man comes into your life.
• Life Comes With an “Owners Manual” - Contrary to what many will tell you, life does come with an “owners manual”…it’s call the Bible. Read it through and learn it well, for it will help you “make repairs” throughout your life. Pay special attention to the chapter that contains the part they call “The Ten Commandments”. Some people use them as suggestions….I say they are guideposts.
• Accept Failure- At some point in your life you will fail at something and how you handle that adversity will show how you have matured. But you will find it is the failures that keep you humble, will make you stronger and help push you to succeed.
• Sometimes You Will Be Wrong- Always stand your ground when you are right, but there will be times that you will be wrong. Being able to admit you are wrong and accept your mistakes shows a level of maturity.
• Sing Like No One Is Listening, Dance Like No One is Watching- Sometimes the greatest joys in life happen when you remind yourself to enjoy life without acting too “grown-up”. Remind yourself to act like a child when you are at DisneyWorld…stop somewhere with your friends and sing in public…..and take time to dance in the rain.
• The Day You Leave for College Will Be The Happiest Day of Your Life- But for me it will be it will be so much different. I will be smiling on the outside but inside I will be falling apart. I promise that while we are around your new friends/roommates I will be strong. When it’s time to leave, I cannot promise you anything. And remember…no matter how excited you are to be at college one last hug will make my drive home a little easier to handle.
• Remember These 7 Things- I borrowed this list from a blog by Matt Jacobson, but they cover what I have always told you from the time I first sang you to sleep:
I Love You
From the moment you were born and I held you in my arms you have always had my heart. And until I breathe my last breath on this earth my heart will always be yours.
You Are Beautiful
The world won’t tell you this, not without an ulterior motive. Most of the time the world will tell you that you aren’t. Or that you just don’t measure up, are too this, or not enough that.
You are beautiful just as you are and I wouldn’t want you to change a thing about yourself.
You are a wonderful young lady and being around you lights up my world
Some of my best memories are the little things in life…like a ride in my truck, or sitting and watching a movie cuddled up on the sofa together. If you only knew how just being around you makes my life so much better.
I am always here for you
I have always been here for you….and just because you have grown up doesn’t mean I won’t be there for you still. Watch how fast I come when you need me.
I Will Always Seek to Protect You
Just because you are grown doesn’t mean I won’t still have the instinct to protect. Just know I am always going to look out for your best interests.
I Will Provide For You
Life at times will be a challenge and when that happens, you just need to remember that your mother and I will provide for you. Sometimes it may be advice or material goods….and sometimes it will be money.
God Loves You and Has A Special Purpose for You
You need to know and believe that you are special. God has created you as a unique individual who is designed to glorify Him with the many wonderful abilities and gifts that He has given to you.
Well, there it is….my 11 things I need to tell you as you enter adulthood. It is by no means an all-encompassing list but it is a start.
As you travel down this new path remember that no matter where you are I am only a phone call away, and always as near as your heart.
Happy 18th Birthday Emily!
Love,
Dad
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