The following is a letter to all the students that I had the privilege of knowing during my time at Shelterwood. I hope this makes its way out to each of you.
My Dearest Littles,
This letter is not addressed to any specific student or group of students. No doubt there were those that I was closer to than others and those I connected well with.
It was a wild ride. If you are reading this letter and went to SW you probably contributed in some way or another. Whether that was running away, breaking things, cussing me (or my Bigs) out, making nasty drawings about SW staff (I kept all those btw! I still get a good laugh out them), or cutting, etc. I don't regret those times, and every dark moment I look back upon with joy. Not because they happened, but because I was graced with being able to walk with you guys through those times.
I imagine it was hard for each of you to be at SW. I tried to express that understanding. I'm sure it didn't always feel like it, but I did my best to love each and every one of you. Reality is that love often feels challenging and harsh, especially in that kind of environment.
For those of you who saw me suffering along side you and loved me in return, I give a special thank you, and to let you know that I haven't forgotten. I still have the shoes I was given by those who saw I had holes in all of mine. I still have the DVD's, the journals, the little TARDIS, and every
note and thank you letter that I've ever gotten. Thank you for having an impact on my life, and I hope I was able to sufficiently return the affection.
Most of you have gone off to live your lives and are facing new challenges. Most of y'all are doing really well! Some of you are struggling. And that's ok. If you are feeling embarrassed or down on yourself, know that you are still loved. Loved by me, loved by the Gigs you were close to, and loved by God.
You're human and struggle is natural. Don't let that struggle rule over you and fool you into thinking that you can't overcome your problems. You can.
Most of you would have, at one point or another, heard me quote the Count of Monte Cristo. "Life is storm..." I would say. By now you should have a thorough understanding of reality, as well as the knowledge that it doesn't really go away. The storm rages on, and it if it ceases another one arises.
Take a close look at yourself and I guarantee that you will find that you have grown with each passing wave of terror and suffering. Even SW.
Today I miss each and every one of you. I want to apologize for any area that I lacked; for any time I came up short on expressing the love I have for you or where I failed to hear what you had to say. I do not apologize for making you angry or for consequencing you, or sharing a hard truth. Every time I did I did so in love. I swallowed my fear and my selfish desire to not enter confrontation just so that I could make sure that you might grown and find life.
There is not a single one of you that I have forgotten and not a single one of you that I do not continue to pray for.
And this is my prayer for you:
That you might live. Truly live. That God will bless each of you with happiness and peace. That all of you needs will be met in abundance and that you might always know hope and purpose. Above all I pray that God makes His presence severely known to you and that each and every day you might walk in the grace of our God who knows and loves you just as you are.
I pray that you would not cave into despair and that old habits and patterns that seek to enslave you will one day bow to you and not have control over the quality of your life.
I pray that you would always have a support group, friends that stand closer than family, and that your own families would be a place of refuge for you.
Hang in there kiddo, the night doesn't last forever.
In closing, I want to repeat a few things that I often shared and truly believed.
1) Love God above all and make sure that you loves others the same as you love yourself. (That might mean you need to start loving yourself more)
2) Give more than you take, but never give with the intent of taking.
3) You are truly valuable and worthy of being loved, and therefore being heard.
4) Remember that life is short and there is but little time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be quick to love and make haste to be kind. And may the love and knowledge of Christ keep you in ever lasting light.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
My Dearest Littles,
This letter is not addressed to any specific student or group of students. No doubt there were those that I was closer to than others and those I connected well with.
It was a wild ride. If you are reading this letter and went to SW you probably contributed in some way or another. Whether that was running away, breaking things, cussing me (or my Bigs) out, making nasty drawings about SW staff (I kept all those btw! I still get a good laugh out them), or cutting, etc. I don't regret those times, and every dark moment I look back upon with joy. Not because they happened, but because I was graced with being able to walk with you guys through those times.I imagine it was hard for each of you to be at SW. I tried to express that understanding. I'm sure it didn't always feel like it, but I did my best to love each and every one of you. Reality is that love often feels challenging and harsh, especially in that kind of environment.
For those of you who saw me suffering along side you and loved me in return, I give a special thank you, and to let you know that I haven't forgotten. I still have the shoes I was given by those who saw I had holes in all of mine. I still have the DVD's, the journals, the little TARDIS, and every
note and thank you letter that I've ever gotten. Thank you for having an impact on my life, and I hope I was able to sufficiently return the affection.
Most of you have gone off to live your lives and are facing new challenges. Most of y'all are doing really well! Some of you are struggling. And that's ok. If you are feeling embarrassed or down on yourself, know that you are still loved. Loved by me, loved by the Gigs you were close to, and loved by God.
You're human and struggle is natural. Don't let that struggle rule over you and fool you into thinking that you can't overcome your problems. You can.
Most of you would have, at one point or another, heard me quote the Count of Monte Cristo. "Life is storm..." I would say. By now you should have a thorough understanding of reality, as well as the knowledge that it doesn't really go away. The storm rages on, and it if it ceases another one arises.
Take a close look at yourself and I guarantee that you will find that you have grown with each passing wave of terror and suffering. Even SW.
Today I miss each and every one of you. I want to apologize for any area that I lacked; for any time I came up short on expressing the love I have for you or where I failed to hear what you had to say. I do not apologize for making you angry or for consequencing you, or sharing a hard truth. Every time I did I did so in love. I swallowed my fear and my selfish desire to not enter confrontation just so that I could make sure that you might grown and find life.
There is not a single one of you that I have forgotten and not a single one of you that I do not continue to pray for.
And this is my prayer for you:
That you might live. Truly live. That God will bless each of you with happiness and peace. That all of you needs will be met in abundance and that you might always know hope and purpose. Above all I pray that God makes His presence severely known to you and that each and every day you might walk in the grace of our God who knows and loves you just as you are.
I pray that you would not cave into despair and that old habits and patterns that seek to enslave you will one day bow to you and not have control over the quality of your life.
I pray that you would always have a support group, friends that stand closer than family, and that your own families would be a place of refuge for you.
Hang in there kiddo, the night doesn't last forever.
In closing, I want to repeat a few things that I often shared and truly believed.
1) Love God above all and make sure that you loves others the same as you love yourself. (That might mean you need to start loving yourself more)
2) Give more than you take, but never give with the intent of taking.
3) You are truly valuable and worthy of being loved, and therefore being heard.
4) Remember that life is short and there is but little time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be quick to love and make haste to be kind. And may the love and knowledge of Christ keep you in ever lasting light.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
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