What would little you, tell big you?

We spent an entire week in Colorado for the Fourth of July like we always do. We get matching outfits and eat fried chicken and we feel oh, so American. One afternoon my dad asked the Langdon kids to go through some of our old things that mom had saved for us. And mom was a saver. I love that about her. We hesitated because who wants to work when you can play? But slowly, we all ended up in the long hallway.

That closet held it all. Letters from old boyfriends, baby clothes, books that shaped our childhood. As I was digging through an entire box that only held letters from my past, I saw a few index cards that caught my eye. As I picked them up, they were each numbered, scribbled in a very middle school handwriting, titled WWJD. It was like being in a time capsule.

I knew immediately what those cards were and I caught my breath. While in middle school, we went to this great school called Spanish River Christian School. It’s there that I learned most about Jesus and began to love the Bible. It’s there that I also wore overalls and thought I would be good at volleyball, two of which things aren’t great for me.

But little middle school Whitney thought she could change the world. Little middle school Whitney hadn’t faced the cruelty of life yet. Little Middle School Whitney just knew that her parents and her God were in her corner, therefore what couldn’t she do.

The index cards reflect that Whitney. And you better believe I am clinging to her with all my heart.

You see, one day I had asked if I could preach at our chapel. I didn’t think what a girl could or couldn’t do. I didn’t hem and haw about public speaking. I just followed a dream and a message in my heart. Kindly, my principal said yes and I can still remember it: the index cards, the day, the people I asked to help me (I am a BIG time includer!)

However, I forgot one part, I forgot that I had ended with writing my mission statement on the card. Know what it was?

Nothing Less. With God guiding my path, anything is possible.

Smile.

I wonder, what would little you, tell big you today? I dare you to ask yourself, write it down and tuck it deep in your heart. I think little us knows a thing or two about living.