| Through A Woman’s Eyes |
By Martha Hynson
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Dear Ally,
Yesterday, as I sat down to write, you asked me what I was writing about and I said I was going to do an article about making lists. But, as He often does, God took me in a different direction and what I’ve ended up with is not an article about lists, but a list. For you. It’s a list of things I hope you’ll remember as you move on to college and the rest of your life. Being the writer that I am, I thought it would be a good idea to put them down on paper. I hope you don’t mind that your letter will be published. I’ve been writing about you for years, so I guess you’re used to it by now. I hope you’ll read these little bits of wisdom slowly and often and, even more, I hope you’ll read and internalize the scriptures that go with each one. I love you with all my heart.
Mom
Ally’s List
• Seek Christ above all else. If you long for intimacy with Him and search for Him with all your heart, He will give you knowledge of Himself. Jeremiah 29:13, Proverbs 2, Matthew 22:37
• Immerse yourself in God’s Word so that it becomes a part of you. Proverbs 2
• Guard your time. It’s limited, so use it wisely. You can make more money, but you can never make more time. 1 Peter 4:7-11
• Allow God to show you how He designed you and how He wants to use you, then work hard at the work He gives you. Romans 12:4-8, Psalm: 139:13-16
• Keep a journal handy as you read your Bible and record what you feel God is saying to you. These words will be precious to you as time goes by. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
• Call and visit your grandmas. You already do this, and I hope you always will! 1 Timothy 5:4
• Be patient. You will face many situations that are out of your control. If you become impatient you will lose control of the one thing you should be controlling- yourself. Proverbs 16:32
• Practice self-control. (see above) If you don’t, it’s like flinging open the doors of your heart and inviting others to control you. Pr. 25:28
• If you tell someone you’ll pray for them, do it right then or you might forget, even though your intentions were good. James 5:16
• Watch Anne of Green Gables at least once a year. I don’t have a Bible verse to go with this one, but trust me.
• Read. A lot. Whenever possible, read things that are inspiring and uplifting. Philippians 4:8
• Forgive others. This gets easier as you get older because you realize all the things for which you need forgiveness. Forgive yourself, too. Matthew 6:14
• Concern yourself with your character and other people’s needs. Philippians 2:3-4
• Sing. I have such happy memories of Mommo singing as she worked. Psalm 100:1-2
• Remember Grandpa Bob’s philosophy about money: You gotta have some. Hebrews 13:5
• Build your life on what will last. The things of this world will soon be gone. Matthew 6:19-21
• Patience equals genuine growth. Most things that are worthwhile take time. James 1:2-4
• Be committed to what is important in God’s eyes, but let go of the things that don’t really matter. Romans 12:2
• Drink lots of water. Daniel 2:8-15
• When you have that longing for something more, know that it’s because you’re not home yet. Allow yourself to feel this longing deeply and know that one day it will be fully satisfied, but not in this world. Hebrews 11:16
• Trust God. Proverbs 3:5-6
• Guard what has been entrusted to your care. Don’t allow the world to determine what you will do with the gifts God has given you. 1 Timothy 6:20, Proverbs 4:23
• Don’t base a decision on what others might think. They probably aren’t thinking about you anyway. Acts 4:18-20
• Work hard so that you’ll have something to share with others. Acts 9:36-42
• Remember, the only things that have value are those done in love. 1 John 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 13
Martha Hynson • mhynson1@gmail.com
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