Members of the Prison Fellowship Academy™ at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee were assigned a project called "Dear Younger Me." This project asked the women to reflect on their lives and to address the issues and events that led them into criminal behavior. Today we’re sharing Meri’s letter to her younger self.
A JOURNEY OF RESTORATION
Dear Younger Me,
Let God guide your heart. Live in the moment—live well [and] laugh often. You deserve abundance and prosperity.
Stay true to yourself and loyal to family. Be a faithful servant to God. Praise Him even when things don’t go your way. He will always shine the light down the path and will never lead you on a journey of despair.
I never meant to hurt you; I paved the way of destruction because I felt insecure. Now, having experience and knowledge, I want you to know that you are worth it. Anything you put before God you will lose.
Don't you dare give up five minutes before the miracle happens. Find your strength in the Lord. You are a precious gem. I love you, so love yourself … and eat lots of pizza. It's delicious!
Meri
P.S. God has an exhilarating plan for your life.
ABOUT THE PRISON FELLOWSHIP ACADEMY
Located in select prisons across the country, the Prison Fellowship Academy takes men and women through a holistic life transformation spanning weeks and months, where they are mentored by Prison Fellowship® staff and volunteers to lead lives of purpose and productivity inside and outside of prison.
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DEAR YOUNGER ME: THE LONG HARD ROAD
Susan trusted herself over God, and it led her to a life of crime and incarceration. In this letter, she writes to her younger self what she has learned over the years.
"I just wanted somebody to tell me that I had value, and tell me to stop sticking a needle in my arm."