Young at Heart

Say “cheese”!

When my blog was in its early prep stage, I sent a couple of headshot options to my brother Mark and asked him to weigh in on his favorite.

With his response, he sent my fourth grade school photo. “But I also like this one,” he texted. He’s a riot.

An important detail worth noting is that my mom was a “hairdresser” for over 40 years! A darn good one. I spent my childhood running in and out of her salon which was attached to our house. The permed mullet seems like a peculiar choice, but it was 1984 so I guess we can cut her some slack.

As I looked past the giant glasses and into the eyes of a much younger me, I wondered what I would say to her if we could go out for ice cream and chat. What are a few life lessons I could share, 30 + years later, to bring peace to her heart and simplicity to her life?

I would tell her this:

Perfect is boring…flaws and challenges add a little glitter! Relax, you don’t have to strive for perfection or pretend to have it all together. We are all a bit of a mess in our own special way. Just do your best and be yourself.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians: 12:9

You are beautiful. Right now, just as you are. Not when you get contacts. Not when you lose the curls. Not when your teeth are closer together. Not when you fit in with a certain crowd or date a certain boy. Not when you are at your “goal weight.” Right now and always. You are beautiful because God created you and you are a reflection of Him. You are just right.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Yes, you can. There is no decision, hardship, obstacle or dream too big! The power of the Holy Spirit is alive in you, able to provide abundant strength and guidance. Pretty awesome stuff. So when you feel bound by the approval of others, remember that the treasure you seek is within.

God can do anything, you know- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

No worries. Whatever happens, you can rest in the promise that you will be okay. The circumstances around you may not always seem okay, but the end of the story has already been written and …love wins. That is the good news of Jesus and it is really good news! Through all of the ups and downs in life, God’s compassion will surround you. Trust in Him and you will see that all things come together for good.

Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

It was such fun to “visit” with my school-aged self, with so much ahead and so much to learn. Yet the same heart that is behind that odd pink bow is beating in me right now. I don’t think she is as far away as she seems. In fact, I can still use a reminder about every message I shared with her.

I will hold that child close, remember that she is with me, and treat myself with the same gentle care that I would show to her.

PS. My husband and I are wired quite differently (keeps things interesting), and I asked him what he would say to his 10 year old self. His answer: “Buy Apple stock.” Ha Ha. I guess his post would have been a bit shorter than mine!