What If?
If you could go back and visit your younger self, what would you say? I know what you’re thinking: “She’s been watching too many time travel movies.” Maybe so. But indulge me for a moment. Think about it.
Maybe this is a universal experience, but I’m 100% sure that I was weird as heck as a youngster. One of the unfortunate side-effects of a good memory is that I can remember several of the cringe-worthy things I said or did prior to the development of a better thought filter. Yikes.
I don’t know what younger Julia would think of where I’m at. Maybe she’d be proud, or confused, or disappointed… You’re 24 years old and still a student? Everyone thinks I’m a nerd, and you’re leaning into it? Grad school? Really? Honestly, kid, I had the same line of thought not too long ago, but God works in mysterious ways, as they say.
In all seriousness, though, if I just had five minutes with my 14-year-old self (ca. 2013), I would tell her:
You don’t have to be so hard on yourself. You’re more capable than you know right now, so you don’t have to kill yourself trying.
It may be hard to believe, but you will grow into your limbs. And you’ll be less clumsy! (A little, anyway.)
You started running a year ago – it’s only a matter of time before you’re totally hooked. Guess what? You’re going to run in college! And it’ll be among the most difficult and satisfying things you do in the next decade.
Adults don’t actually know what they’re doing. It’s all a front!
Buckle up for two incredibly divisive election cycles, and an equally divisive pandemic. Nothing you’ve seen thus far has prepared you for what you’ll see starting in the next couple years. Just remember that the One you allowed to be Lord of your life 10 years ago is good and is with you through it all.
God is more loving, powerful, and present than you’ll ever understand. You don’t have to be perfect for Him to work in and through you in amazing ways.
I can’t promise that you’re going to change the world, but I can promise that God will change you, if you let Him. He is already at work in your life and in the world – all you have to do is be faithful and join His Kingdom-building.
I’m beyond grateful for the people young Julia had in her life – those who were patient with the weird and saw potential. Indeed, their influence then still touches me today. Overall, I’m grateful that the Lord Almighty sees fit to take weird, awkward, broken kids and work in and through them for His glory.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a, NIV)
This piece is written by Julia Hotchkiss, Alumni Office Student Worker.
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