Dear, Dear Someone, _
If you stumble upon these words in a moment of darkness, if your heart feels heavy with the weight of lost dreams, if you're searching for pieces of yourself in places you never thought you'd look, if your spirit is weary from carrying burdens too heavy to bear, and if the thought of opening your heart again makes you tremble - then know this letter found its way to exactly who it was meant for: you.
I am sending you this letter in the very last moments of my last evening of this glorious year 2024. I do so with such gratitude and wonder. It has been a fantastic year and I am so excited to see what 2025 will bring for you and me.
As you know, 2025 will be another blank page, and we can only trust that God will write our story Himself. 2024 may not have started off well, but you need to understand that even though you may still be going through a hard time right now, even though it may seem like you've dug yourself into a deep hole that's hard to get out of, you shouldn't be looking for happiness from the same place you lost it. Don't look at where you fell, look at where you slipped.
—It is time… time to never…
Tomorrow is the first blank page of your 365-page blank book. No one is worth losing yourself for, and no one is worth suffering for at the expense of your happiness. You have endured enough pain and made a lot of sacrifices; now it is time for you to break free. It's time for you to stay out of the dark. It's time for you to be free from that toxic relationship.
You deserve to be loved, and you should never lose yourself while holding onto someone who doesn't care about losing you. You should never lose yourself trying to keep someone else warm or trying to fit into their world. You should never lose yourself trying to live up to someone’s expectations. You should never lose yourself because you have lost a friend or a family member.
No matter who may have walked out of your life, you should never lose yourself or change who you are. When you change to please your lover or anyone at all, you will lose yourself because you didn't change for yourself. When you change to please others, your change will not last.
—Don’t…
Don't lose yourself trying to keep up with the Joneses or trying to fit in. Don't lose yourself trying to impress everyone on social media or trying to be someone else. Don't lose yourself in the rat race. Don't crucify or sabotage yourself by trying to fit in or live in a certain part of town. Don't lose yourself in your fears. Stop being the only one trying to fix things. Don't lose yourself trying to prove yourself. Don't love your relationship more than you love yourself. Don't give your heart away without leaving some for yourself. Don't get used to being treated badly. Don't spend another moment of your life letting fear dictate who you are and what you can do. Stop comparing yourself to others when you should be setting the standard for yourself. Put your trust in God before you put your trust in anyone else.
—There’s hope…
While many have said that you have to lose yourself to find yourself, the truth is that you don't have to lose yourself to the wrong things or people. But if you have lost everything—all that you have, and not just yourself—there is hope for you. You may have lost yourself in 2024, but that doesn't mean you can't be found no matter what you've experienced and no matter how much it hurt.
It doesn't matter who you used to be; what matters is who you have become. Take 2025 as your fresh start. Learn from your mistakes and experiences, learn to love yourself, pack your bags, and run to the arms of the only person you have left—God! He will heal your pain. And if you will draw closer to Him, I can assure you that no matter how many times you lose yourself, you will always find your way to being whole again. Trust in God today and keep pressing in through prayers.
—Continue to be…
If you are among those who have been crushed under the weight of heartbreak this season, be encouraged and know that you are not finished. God is closer to you than ever before. Don't let the weight of the past keep you from moving forward. Rest in His salvation and do your things at your own pace. Love will surely come at your own pace and when the time is right and you're ready, you will receive love. Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (see Proverbs 4:23). Find God and grow in faith. Be kind and unselfish. Stop chasing people. Value your time and space by making choices that are right for you. Be careful where you put your energy. Dream again, love again, know your identity and don't forget your value.
—Hopefully…
I would love to meet you one day, but before that, please take your heart seriously. That's what Jesus Christ died for. Don't let people think it's okay to mistreat you, abuse your kindness or play with your emotions. Be strong enough to set limits even when you disappoint others.
Set limits even if people don't like them. If someone has been taking advantage of you for too long, you are encouraged to set boundaries, even if they are perceived as hurtful. Love and care for yourself and set boundaries, even if it's from your own "family".
Set boundaries even if it means losing someone you love. And by the way, never be afraid of losing (someone). Don't be afraid of losing your spouse or partner if your life is in danger. Don't be afraid of losing your precious possessions if they become a danger to you. If you must be afraid of anything, it should be of losing yourself; it should be of losing your salvation and ultimately your life. And if you must lose yourself to anything, lose yourself to God, to His Word and to the service of humanity.
—Be grateful…
You have endured; you have been broken and you have known hardship with all that has happened this year, but it's time for you to be grateful for where it has brought you. Be grateful for all the pain you felt on the road to peace. Be grateful for the little things. Be grateful for the nights that turned into mornings. Be thankful for friends that became family. Be thankful for the dreams that became reality. Be thankful for those who left you. Be thankful for those who couldn't keep their promises. Be thankful for the people who stayed in your life. Be grateful for the drama around you. Be grateful for the hard lessons; they have made you stronger. Be grateful for 2024, even though it was full of goodbyes. Be thankful for life. And in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).
—As always…
I pray for peace over your mind and heart today as you journey into a new year of restoration. I pray that you find a depth in God that erases the deepest of pains. I pray that whatever has kept you awake in the past few days, weeks, and/or months, God has already overcome. Rest in Who He is! If He was faithful to you in 2024, He will be faithful to you in 2025. He will make a way. He will never abandon you. Expect first time miracles every day and the restoration to favour (see 2 Corinthians 5:19). Make up your mind not to cry for the wrong people again. Remind yourself that the only person you have, and you can rely on outside God, is yourself. Don't ever lose yourself trying to fix what's meant to stay broken—it's exhausting and unsustainable!
—It shall be so…
Wishing you and yours a happy new year full of peace! As you celebrate loud or quiet, near or far, I want you to know you deserve to be happy!
Yours,
—Ali Papa.
—Thank you for taking the time to read my letters.
If you love this letter, you’ll love my books. They are written for you, to warm your heart and soul. They are written for broken hearts of all shapes and sizes. They are full of good things—everything I have been wanting to say to you and they are available for FREE download to all tribe members.
If you were unable to find yourself in today's letter, you don't have to worry. Tell me what you feel here, and I will write you a personal letter. The same God who can help you get by in life can also help you excel in life.
—Who is Ali Papa?
I'm a husband, father, friend, and merchant of faith, hope, and love, crafting heartfelt letters for every season and story. Writing to you is more than a hobby for me. It's a passion, a calling, and a way of life. I pour my heart and soul into every letter I send you, hoping to inspire you, inform you, heal with compassion, illuminate paths, instill courage, uplift spirits, spread positivity, and connect with sincerity.
My wish is that you continue to find the words that express your deepest and strongest emotions from them, regardless of the circumstances, and that you keep experiencing life, love, freedom, and fulfilment in your relationship. I live in Port Harcourt with my supportive wife and three adorable kids, who teach me the value of love every day.
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