For part of our back-to-school-blessing, I read a letter (know I don’t know the Paisley song on country music stations that’s similar) . . .
16 year old Josh:
You are about to turn 16. You are going to drive a big red F250 truck (affectionately nicknamed “Big Red” and “Clifford” for the children’s book character—you got street cred). You will have ample opportunity to pursue the vices that have swirled in your imagination for the past few years. Life’s about to get real interesting.
Basketball is going to open doors to travel, share life with people from all over the U.S. But you will also have doors opened because of basketball that you need not walk through.
You work hard being the person others want you to be (that’s not all bad)—but you are missing out on being yourself. Be yourself (the version God made you to be) because everyone else is taken.
You are about to have angst inside yourself that you think can be quenched by relationships—but it’s a mirage in the desert. Like salt-water, the more you drink the thirstier you’ll be.
Your parents have a deeply rooted love for you and while you think they don’t know what you are going through, there is nothing new under the sun. They know more than you think. Actually, the older you get the more you’ll realize how brilliant your parents actually were. The older you get the smarter they’ll be. You will end up modeling them when you become a parent yourself.
You are going to make some big mistakes—some bigger than you thought you were capable of. The pain will be real, the scars permanent. You’re going to do some important things too. Things you’ll look back on with great pride. Don’t let either define you.
In just a few years, you’ll read something form Howard Thurman that will change your life. I wish you could read it now: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Instead, ask what makes you come alive, because what the world needs is people who’ve come alive.” Chase that which gives life. The rest will work itself out.
I hope these words find a way to your heart.
Love,
31 year old Josh
