Dear Leon,
Firstly, a ‘Happy Birthday.’ An unfortunately late one. I’m sorry. I actually remembered about it back in late June, and decided to get the Cg to celebrate the weekend after the Twelfth (i.e. last weekend). But it completely slipped my mind. I’m really sorry about it. But this makes up for nothing, it’s just a letter i’ve been meaning to write to you for awhile now.
Leon, I think we’ve known each other for just about three years now, or four? Eitherways, it’s been quite awhile. And a good bulk of that time we’ve known each other, we’ve been in the same cg. Back then, you had only just came to know Christ. I hope you see how far you’ve come along, and how much God has done in your life. You really have grown a lot over the years, with a fair share of struggles along the way. I worry a lot for you actually, because over the years we’ve met up/smsed to discuss all sorts of things that you’ve had to grapple with. And on top of that, knowing the kind of person I am, I haven’t gone easy on you with my advise or opinions, as per my nature. I know i’ can be a hard guy at times, I know I can offer the toughest positions/advise. Thus, I worry even more.
But you’ve been such a strong kid. Your faith has been rooted so firmly in Christ. You love Him more & more when it gets harder & harder. And honestly, I’ve asked myself: If I were in your position, would my faith hold up as well. I don’t know. haha. My impression of you now is that every week, every day, every event/occurance in your life, you’re just trying to love Christ more & more.
Leon, I think you’ll make a good leader in the future. You have a genuine love for Him, His word, and His people. I believe your faith is cemented in His Embrance. But I think you need to really recognize your identity in Him as well. I hope you really grow more & more to see who you are to Him, and In Him. let Him secure any insecurities you have.
Yes, I hear you – about the whole ‘authentic community’ thing. And frankly, I’m trying. Not not trying hard enough. It’s personally a difficulty of mine, because in my own life, I dont even cultivate healthy relationships with people. So I struggle to bring that into my cg. It’s the same with ‘birthdays’ you see. I don’t even celebrate my own birthdays, so even as much as I understand how much a birthday means to others, I fall short in conveying that sentiment. As illustrated in the opener of my letter. Maybe I don’t know how to appreciate birthdays in particular. But I do appreicate certain people; including you.
Christian relationships are meaningful when we can help one another grow more Christlike. You have been helping me in ways you don’t know. You’re an encourager, an example, a prompter. Keep helping me okay. And I’ll try to help you.
Be patient with me as I learn to love the people around me more. And teach me 🙂
Your God-appointed cg Leader,
M
p.s. apologies aplenty for the handwriting. & the awful tearing. (straight out of my journal. haha)
Hey Leon, how do you do? Pete here, if you remember 🙂
i have a vague memory.. it’s been a while! 🙂 I’m good. How about you?