What I Know Now

Hey friends! We've made it to Thursday. I can't believe how quickly these summer days are flying. Today I am thrilled to write as part of 

FaithBarista's 

Faith Jam

Faith Jam is a link up where writers of faith are going to share some amazing stories. In this week's Jam we are sharing letters to our younger selves on what we know now about the faith journey we are on. I hope you'll take time to visit her site and read some of the entries. And if you've hopped over here from the Jam, you are so welcome!

My name is Michelle and I am wife to my Irish husband Brian, mom to preschooler Teagan and baby Isla. It's always an adventure around here where I like to share my family, faith, advocacy for Compassion International, struggle with infertility, newbie homeschooling adventures and always a mishap or two. Lately I also share about the very present grief I have in loosing my father, mother and stepmother all within months of each other. I pray this blog provides a means of encouragement to women by showing them God's love. 

Ready? Let's Jam! 

Here's my letter to my twenty year old self:

Dear Michelle, 

I look at you now and my older self wants to hug you. You'll spend too many years searching for significance, sure that the world can't accept you as you are. Life is good, but it seems the wind carries you on a roller coaster of emotions and crisis. You float from person to group to organization, all in a quest to find the missing link that will lead to a peace that eludes you. 

You will try "church" but feel like an outsider sitting in pews, sure that those "perfect" people inside its doors could never experience the struggles in your heart. But take heart, dear self! God wants you to know you don't need to be perfect to worship Him. He will help you discover you were wonderfully made and are already special to Him and so many others He has and will place in your life! 

Even while you stray, God will not give up on you. He will call you back to Him through a series of trials that bring you to your knees. But in the process? He will bless you beyond your imagination with a wonderful husband and friend, beautiful, treasured children, exceptional friendships and always, the love of your family. 

One day, you will be able to reconcile your life in the world with your faith and find peace through being your authentic self, a child of God. It will surprise you most of all to find Jesus has called you to share your faith through the written word. But in accepting this calling you will experience the greatest joy and purpose ever. So hang in there. And stay away from musicians!!

In Love, 

Your older...and sometimes, wiser 

Self