Or, How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self
As the calendar pages flutter forward under the relentless winds of time, how can I be sure I’m becoming who I’m meant to be? Whenever a freshly minted year is about to start, I feel the need to have some clarity about this. And a sense of direction, before the year’s new-car smell wears off.
When the Von Trapp children asked Sister Maria how to become singers, she made it sound oh so simple. Start at the beginning, with just one note. Each note builds on the last until, alas, you’re world class!
I take the Great Composer at his word when he promises he’s partnering with me to write a symphony with the wee notes of my life. Trouble is, I don’t play any instruments well. I need constant instruction and guidance.
And even with decades of experience, on January First I’m always at a loss about how to begin the new stanza. Have I even finished the last? I get panicky.
My every moment, my every now, builds on the next. And when my allotted years have zipped past, will all my nows have become music to God’s ears?
I care deeply about this. You too?
This week I had a friendly little conversation with my future self. I figure I’m responsible to her like no one else. She’s pretty invested in me, and–being from the future–she’s bound to have more clarity about things affecting me now. Somehow discussing life with her, in the form of a letter, brought my priorities into view.
If you would like to give this a try, I’ve made it easy for you. Here’s a free printable template to get you started writing a letter to your future self. Or, scroll down and copy-paste the text of the letter into a new document. 😊
I hope you can find a slot of quiet time, brew yourself a cup of tea, and listen to the notes of your inner heart.
And hey, if you find it as helpful as I did, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment or drop me a line!
Click on the image to download free printable.
Download PDF
Or copy-paste text below into a new document:
Letter to My Future Self
Dear Future Me ,
This won’t come as any surprise to you but once again, in 2019, I experienced God’s patient guidance, nudging me toward Christlikeness. Well, on some days I openly questioned his methods. And on others, I questioned my teachability. Clearly, he’s not finished with me yet—not even close.
But I pray that when you read this, you’ll see his power on display in the ways I’ve grown. And I won’t have set you up with regrets by allowing the noise of the world, or selfish desires, or indifference, derail my purpose.
First, I’ll reflect briefly before praying into the year ahead. Looking back at who I was a year ago compared to today, I can see how God especially helped me grow in this way: ______________________________. In fact, I claim victory right now over _____________________.
God deserves wild praise for all the ways he attended to my needs last year. In fact, he really showed up when___________________________.
If I had to name a theme for his work in and through me in 2019, it would be _____________________.
Some years aren’t super eventful, while others hold dramatic changes. On a scale of 1 (status quo) to 10, (aliens descended and rearranged everything), this year was roughly a ____.
Using the same scale, I expect 2020 to rate a _____, with what little foresight I have into what changes the future holds.
Dear me, I pray that when you read this a year or more from now, you’ll smile because I lived fully into my story in 2020. Not perfectly, of course. Yet with great intentionality, elevating every now as an influential moment that will affect me and others later.
When I consider my purpose and priorities, I’m reminded that my number one calling is to live loved. I can only truly love others out of the overflow of God’s love. So he wants me to reject any tendencies that keep me from fully receiving his love and acceptance—and, therefore, from being his love to others.
“The first purpose of your life, or calling, is to let God love you.” -Rick Warren
The habit or tendency that most blocks me from receiving his love is _________________.
When I think of my relationships, I feel so grateful. This year I’ve especially been blessed by loving and being loved by ___________, ____________, and ____________. Still, I want to bring my even better self to family and friends this year. So in the coming months, I’d like to practice being more ______________.
In nurturing the precious gift of my marriage (or other key relationship), I feel called to focus especially on _______________________.
Of the Fruits of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control), this is the one I’m asking Jesus to help me nurture in the coming months: ______________.
I notice that in the past year, the Lord strategically used certain people to encourage and grow me. Especially _________________, and ___________________.
I desire that the Lord would use me the same way this year, to build up others. When I consider who God may be nudging me toward, _________________ comes to mind. May he prepare me and give me opportunities to be his love and wisdom for this person, as well as others.
I’m learning that surrender isn’t a once-and-for-all proposition. But you know better than anyone that my stubborn will still regularly wars with God’s perfect plans for me. I rather hate to admit it, but lately I sense the Lord is asking me to release my grip on ____________, so I can receive new and better things.
It bugs me that I still struggle with ______________________. I know God holds the power to help me slay this dragon as well. May this be the year. I’m asking him to show me fresh strategies. And for courage to share my commitment with at least one person who would be willing to check in with me now and then.
Thanks in advance for having grace with me when I fail, and for continuing to believe in me. When you read this letter in the future, look closely. See those gentle changes where I yielded to the Lord’s sculpting tools? Stand in awe of him, not me. Give him all the praise.
Other thoughts:
So insightful, Kit! Your writing takes me to new places—places I need to go. Thank you so much and keep it up, my friend. Every blessing to you in the New Year!!
Oh, the places we could go … together, Jodi! Blessings, friend!
A beautiful letter, Kit. What a great exercise for reflecting on the past year and envisioning what we hope God will do in and through us in the new. You’ve motivated me to write a letter today!
Sweet! Our future selves will thank us, Marlys! Happy Day One 💕