Letter to the 7 year old me (Kristin Sarai)

First of all let me say that I love you sooooo much. You are such an innocent, sweet girl. I know that sometimes you feel really scared as you endure pain and treatment. I know the doctors don’t think you are going to live long but let me tell you, God says that YOU WILL live. Even more exciting is the fact that God is SO very interested in your life. He loves you more than you will ever understand. Keep your eyes on him and hold on to His unchanging hand. Another thing,  listen to your parents! They love you more than life and they will not lead you in the wrong direction. You will start to think that they are too old school but the principles they are teaching you are correct. Don’t be upset with them for not letting you go to parties and go out with guy (you actually need to seriously thank them for that).

As you grow up you will start to see things that are designed to distract you from the purposes for which God is sparing your life. You will be introduced to profanity, alcohol, sexual temptation, hypocrisy, gossip, lying, etc. You will feel pressured to take part in these things for the sake of fitting in with your peers but you will never feel comfortable in that lifestyle….it’s just not the way that God designed you so embrace the person that you REALLY are! You see, you are in the world but you are NOT of the world. You are the daughter of the most high God child! You are loved beyond measures. You struggle with your confidence not because you don’t know your worth but rather because you are trying to fit into an environment that was never designed for you. Realize that the only reason you have life in your body is to do God’s work, to demonstrate His love to all of those who cross your path, to have compassion on those who are hopeless and to be a reflection of God’s glory to those who are watching. The theme of your life should say to the world “God’s way DOES work”. Therefore, don’t engage in things that don’t give glory to God…that not only hurts you and your relationship with God but it will also diminish the glory that he wants out of your life.

You think you’re going to be a medical doctor… that is not the plan that God has for you BUT it’s cute because in a sense you will be a doctor. God wants to use your life to bring life to those around you. He wants you to use the gifts that he has given you to point the broken to Him, to heal people who are spiritually sick…it will one day become your biggest passion. He has wired you with an analytical mind, you are creative, you are a dreamer, you are optimistic, you love to laugh, you love the arts, you think about things that you think are “weird”, when you read things come alive, you are sensitive yet courageous, you are fragile yet strong, and you have huge heart…hold on to that…in your 20s you will unfold how to use all these things to do your life’s work. It’s also funny that you wanted to be an elephant (lol) well guess what…you will be an elephant. Elephants are extremely smart animals and they are known for their social nature. They are very affectionate and they feel the pain of their fellow elephants. When an elephant dies other elephants go through a mourning process and even bury their bones. This is the type of passion that you will have for people. You will be passionate about their lives on earth and beyond. When you see people dying spiritually you will experience unrest…you will feel a need to help them and the love that God put inside of you WILL help point them to Christ.

You will have some guys that you think you’re interested in…but let me tell you…don’t waste your time. Your daddy is right. Boys and girls have no business in romantic relationships. You don’t even fully know what love is yet…God will teach you love more and more as you grow…God will mold you into the office of a wife. Until then…don’t give any special attention to any boy. You don’t even know what type of man you need so stop trying to figure it out and let God show you the details. One other thing you need to know on this subject is that boys don’t always play on the monkey bars….they are also in college, they drive, they have careers….sometimes boys never grow into men. Grown boys do not deserve your time…they are just a distraction from your relationship with Christ. The scars that you let them put on your heart will take you some time to heal from but the good thing is…You WILL heal through the leadership and counsel of Christ. Don’t invest too much too soon.

College will be interesting for you. That will be the period in life where you will be the most distant from God but it will be the period that allows you to understand the grace, mercy and need for Christ. The people that you are working to impress and seek the approval of there won’t even be in your life as an adult so girl chill out and be who God created you to be unapologetically.

You’re going to move to Atlanta and get your masters degree…but don’t get puffed up in education or popularity…all that you are is because of Christ. At 23, with a masters degree you will go through a period of unemployment. Although you will feel helpless…that is exactly what God needs for you to feel. This is an opportunity for Him to show you how much he loves you and how he will supernaturally provide for you. This period is when you will hear clearly and accept your call to ministry. This is the season which God will give you the vision for your life. God will have you all to himself at this time and will speak to you and teach you about his love, grace, mercy, provision, protection, etc. He will give you a job in a way that will give you NO room to take the credit…don’t forget to reflect the glory to him. Don’t get comfortable here though…He had work for you to do in this season but this isn’t the end of the journey. You will start a ministry that will allow others to have what God has given you. God is going to you use more than you know. I am so excited for you get to that point.

You will go through a period of intense sanctification…it will feel like bootcamp and although sometimes uncomfortable, God will use this season to rapidly mold you into His image. He will use this period develop your character to a standard that will yield Him the highest glory. You’ll still fall short but He will show you all of the areas of your life that have to die and all the places where you need to put on the character of Christ. Even things that you thought didn’t matter will become important. God will begin to download His heart into yours. It’s going to be a very exciting time for you girl! You’ll feel like nobody understands you but keep praying and God will send people into your life who are also set apart. They will inspire you and give you a better understanding of your purpose. You will see God do many amazing things…you’ll get excited but I promise you…that’s nothing compared to what will show you in the future. Hey…keep your head up…walk with extreme confidence…not in yourself alone…but in yourself Through Christ. Keep smiling…it will give life to others. I love you soo much precious girl. You are powerful beyond measures (through Christ)…when you recognize that in full…then you will be well on your way to being an internationally effective warrior for Christ. May your life be as sweet music unto the ears of God. I love you!!

Yours, Truly,

Kristin Sarai 25.9 (Sept. 2012)