Greetings!

It’s late summer in Northern Colorado and school starts in about three weeks. I’ve been a  youth director at a new church plant called The Gathering at Windsor for the last four years of the 12 that I’ve been in full-time ministry.

I’ve been reflecting on this summer and some of the frustrations faced as we struggled with our family vacation this year being in the hospital for 15 days while our daughter Solveig recovered from a “simple” appendectomy. This event, combined with other complications, seem to have stamped out some of my hopes and dreams to be with kids while making the most of the summer months.

“Frustrated, I remembered a letter I had written while at camp in June with our middle-school group. This was an exercise that we all did. It was a letter from God to me. To be specific, it was a letter that I wrote while trying to imagine what God might be saying to me at this time in my life. It might be kind of weird to share, but oh well.

Let me encourage you with this final thought before sharing my letter. What might God be saying to you? Think about it–you might be very surprised!

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Dear Pat,

I want to let you know how very much I love you and care for you. I know you have doubts about your leadership and that your insecurities sometimes cause you to withdraw and become timid. Know this, I am with you and will always be. This week is a taste of what is possible.

You question constantly my call on your life, but I have you here, doing what you’re doing for a reason. You have to trust that I know what I’m doing and have faith that I have faith in you.

You doubt my love. I get that. Please try to rest in the knowledge that my love is real and it’s for you.

Live into the call I have placed on your heart. Follow my voice. Get into my Word. Live with it, learn it, love it–it will change your life and your perspective.

You really have gotten quite particular and ornery as you’ve gotten older. I knew this would happen, but let me assure you this is not my desire for you. Please try not to sweat the small stuff. Let kids be kids and don’t let anger get a grip on you anymore. It will only make you unhappy; and everyone around you will suffer, too.

I want you to be happy. I have heaven in mind for you. Use this time to prepare yourself for the joy of the coming age. It will be more than you can hope for or imagine.

I understand that you’re confused about life right now. I have a plan, one that will be revealed to you–perhaps not the way you want me to reveal it, but I will let you know as I see fit. Please try to trust me and understand that My ways aren’t your ways, and I’ll work for the best in any situation. I value what you do for My kingdom on earth and the one to come.

Pat, I love you. I know all about the darkest corners of your life–they do grieve me. However, I know your heart. I know you love Me. You have to understand some of the decisions you’ve made in life aren’t what I have in mind for you, but never doubt My love even in the hardest moments. I never will leave you or forsake you. I am with you (as I always have been). Try to forgive yourself because I already have.

Be bold, walk in the knowledge that I am God and you are not. (I know you like that saying!) Choose to follow Me and spend time with Me daily. I want more than the world for you–I want eternity.

You are my child.

Your Loving Creator,
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit