Dear Emily [Part 1]

Here are some things I want you to know. They are things about life, about yourself, and about God. I hope you find them helpful and guides to help you along the way as you grow.

1) Your life has a purpose that no other human being can take from you, no matter what happens in your life (good or bad). 

                 Critical events will happen in your life to strengthen you, to shape you, and to grow you into the person you will become. However, none of these situations will ever be able to rob you of your purpose that you were created for. Instead, they will serve to make you more effective in fulfilling the purpose. Not all of these events will be joyful, some will be so painful you would not wish them on your worst enemy. 

2) There will be days you will feel dying would be better than living.

                   Choose LIFE. Death is final, forever, and permanent. Living can becoming better, greater, and wonderful. Death is an escape, but living brings freedom. Be FREE.

3) People will fail you.

                   Your heart will be for people, to love them and to be loved by them. But people are bent towards failing. People will fail in following everything they believe and stand to be and, in doing so, they will fail you. They will hurt you deeply when they fail you, but they will also point you to the One who will never fail you. Cling to the One with your core being.

4) Cling to the One who will never fail you: God = Father. Son. Holy Spirit. = Three in One 

                    The Father loves you deeper than oceans, so deep scribes would run out of ink describing His love. The Son will also die for you and your pain, your mistakes, and for your love. The Holy Spirit will never stop guiding you, never stop counseling you, and never stop tenderly embracing you. Cling to the Living God. 

5) Never be ashamed of your loud laugh.

                    People will assume you're forcing it for attention, but that is because they are not free-spirited. Others will criticize its sound, but that is because they have boxed themselves in to a mold. Whenever you laugh, the Lord laughs with you. He will use your laughter to spread His joy to others. Be careful, though, not to use laughter to hide. Be fully present in every situation, no matter how hard it is.