Jordan, over at MamaBlogga is holding a group writing project with the theme “Dear Children”. After much thinking, I decided to write to the young people of the United States. So without further ado, my letter:
Dear Children,
I am writing to you, because you are the future of the United States of America. We enjoy many freedoms in this country, freedoms we should never take for granted. Because I care about the future of my children and my future grandchildren, let me take a moment to offer some advice from someone who has been around a bit longer than you.
When you pick a hero, pick someone with integrity, someone who stands for something. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears may seem cool to your generation, but what do they stand for? Do you really want to be like them? Idolize people who stand against adversity and succeed. Jim Abbott had no right hand, yet he became a Major League Baseball pitcher. Corrie ten Boom helped Jews escape the Nazis during the Holocaust. Liviu Librescu gave his life to help his students escape during the recent Virginia Tech Massacre. These are the types of people you should look up to. These are real heroes.
Respect your elders. I know it’s hard to believe, but older people have gained a lot of wisdom from experience. If you have grandparents, get to know them well. Ask for their advice. Learn their stories. When I was in high school, I did a report on the Great Depression and interviewed all of my grandparents. I learned so much more than I ever could have, had I gotten all my information from a book. If you don’t have living grandparents, get to know other older people in your neighborhood or church. I’m sure they would appreciate your interest, and you will appreciate their knowledge.
Think about what you wear. Like it or not, people remember first impressions. What do you want people to think when they meet you for the first time? Ladies, do you want people to think you are made of skin or substance? Men, do you want people to see you as a leader or as some young punk? How you present yourself is important, and often it will determine whether or not you are taken seriously.
Treat people with respect. You don’t have to agree with people to treat them with respect. Just because someone doesn’t have the same background or values that you do, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be treated with civility. Look past color, religion, disability, social status, and political persuasion, and see the person. This country has often been too fragmented by different groups fighting against each other. Seek to work with people, not fight against them. Love, don’t hate.
Vote. You live in a great country, where you have the privilege to make your opinion count. Don’t waste it. Learn about people running for office. Don’t just vote for someone because you like their commercials, the way they look, or that some Hollywood star endorses them. Find out what they stand for. Think about how their positions will impact your life. This is your vote. Make it count.
Don’t turn your back on God. He created you, He loves you, and He wants the best for your life. If you don’t know Him, get to know him. If you’re skeptical, examine the evidence for God yourself. If you already have a relationship with God, seek to deepen it. People try to fill the voids in their lives with many different things…alcohol, drugs, pornography, sex….but none of them work in the long term. Stay away from those temporary fixes. Get to know the only One who can truly fulfill you. If you let Jesus guide your life, you won’t go wrong.
I hope you take my suggestions to heart.
Sincerely,
One who has been there
Related Tags: Group Writing Project, Dear Children, Parenting, Faith, Heroes
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