Dear Daughter,
A chapter of your life has closed and a new one begins as you stand at the threshold of adulthood, ready to take your first steps into the unknown. As you embark on the journey of going to college, I have so many wishes for you….wishes of hope, success and of all your dreams coming true.
Beginnings can be so exciting and at the same time so very hard. Life is full of twists and turns, joy filled surprises can happen right along with unexpected sorrows, knowing how to handle both is so important.
As your journey begins I want you to remember 6 important things.
1. Put God first- In all that you do, take it to God in prayer first and seek His Word for answers. Let Him be the one that guides you in the decisions you make. Don’t be swayed by the world or by the standards of your friends. God’s standards are the only ones that you need to follow.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”– Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
2. Praise Him- Through good and bad alike you need to praise Him. He deserves the glory for all the blessings He has given you. Even when the blessings seem far away and you can’t feel His presence, praise Him anyway. Take your eyes of your sorrows and onto the everyday things you have to be thankful for, praise Him for these things. When you do, you’ll see your mind and attitude shift, you’ll feel your spirit lifted as you’re reminded that He indeed is God, and He is in control.
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” – 1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV)
3. Give it your all- Whatever you do in life give it a 100%. Don’t short change yourself or others. I am not saying you need to be perfect, no one is perfect. However, it’s so much better to look back on life knowing you gave it your all instead of asking the question, “What if?”
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
4. Expect the unexpected- Life doesn’t always go as planned. Learn to adapt. Learn to roll with the punches and be ok with this. If you prepare you mind and heart a head of time, through reading God’s word and through prayer, you’ll be able to take some of the worry and stress out of your life when the unexpected comes your way.
5. Allow God’s dreams to become your dreams- When God’s plans for your life, stray off course from where you thought you were going, be adaptable. Don’t argue with God over your life not turning our how you had planned. Let His plan for your life become your plan. Remember that the safest place you can be is at the center of God’s will.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
6. Remember that I love you and I will always be here for you. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader, the shoulder you need to cry on, the one who wants to know about the first job you were offered, and to hear about the boy who stole your heart. I will be here through the good times and bad. Forever and always my precious daughter, I will love you unconditionally with a love that you cannot imagine until one day you have a daughter of your own.
Written by Shari Miller
