I love birthdays! I always have. I remember as a little girl getting very excited about my birthday and counting down the days until it finally arrived. I’ll admit, I love presents, I love cake, and I love parties, so birthdays are perfect!
Birthdays are also a time when we naturally become reflective. Am I where I thought I would be at this age? How did time go so fast? I can’t possibly be this old, can I?
It was my birthday yesterday, and I definitely find myself in that reflective place today. I ran across this picture this morning, and it made me laugh. Despite the pixie haircut (really, Mom!) and the goofy swing I’m sitting on, that little girl’s smile seems to hold genuine excitement. I remember that little girl very well and the zest she had for life.
When I saw the picture I was instantly reminded of an incredible song by the group Mercy Me called “Dear Younger Me.” The words are below, and I invite you to read them closely. I’ve also included a link to the YouTube video so you can listen to the song if you’re not familiar with it.
The song talks about what we would say to the younger version of ourselves if we could. As I reflect on what I would say to the little girl in the picture if I had the chance, I think the song says it all. I’m not sure I would tell her about the heartaches that are to come, because each hurt has strengthened her and made her who she is today. I don’t think I would warn her about people who were going to cause her pain, because those same people also brought her intense joy. I would encourage her that every experience she is going to face will mold her into the woman she is today.
The thing I absolutely would tell her is how much God loves her…just as she is. She never ever has to earn God’s love, so all the striving she will do in life is unnecessary. She is redeemed by God’s grace and mercy, not by anything she has done or will do. She is loved by her Heavenly Father who is holy and righteous. She is a daughter of the King!
I would be tempted to warn her to let things go a little easier, don’t fret about the awkwardness she will feel in her teen years, and watch out for that boy who’s going to break her heart, but I think it’s best if I let her figure it out on her own!
Please read the lyrics below closely and ponder them for a minute. Then drink in the truth found in the words: Every mountain every valley Thru each heartache you will see Every moment brings you closer To who you were meant to be
Hugs and love,
Jill
“Dear Younger Me” Mercy Me
Dear younger me Where do I start If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far Then you could be One step ahead Of all the painful memories still running thru my head I wonder how much different things would be Dear younger me, dear younger me
Dear younger me I cannot decide Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life Or do I go deep And try to change The choices that you’ll make cuz they’re choices that made me Even though I love this crazy life Sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride Dear younger me, dear younger me
If I knew then what I know now Condemnation would’ve had no power My joy my pain would’ve never been my worth If I knew then what I know now Would’ve not been hard to figure out What I would’ve changed if I had heard
Dear younger me It’s not your fault You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross Dear younger me
You are holy You are righteous You are one of the redeemed Set apart a brand new heart You are free indeed
Every mountain every valley Thru each heartache you will see Every moment brings you closer To who you were meant to be Dear younger me, dear younger me
You are holy You are righteous You are one of the redeemed Set apart a brand new heart You are free indeed