It seems lately that letters have become a popular way to express our feelings about public figures.  In the past few weeks I've seen letters addressed to Miley Cyrus and her dance partner Robin Thicke which aired grievance toward their lewd public display at the VMA's.  I don't keep up with football, but apparently Johhny ("Football") Manziel has committed what ESPN has referred to as "inexcusable antics" and has become the subject of a few "what not to be like" posts.  These public letters are addressed to pop icons who will never read the words so carefully typed out.  They will be read by those of us who watch from the sidelines, those of us with impressionable children and grandchildren.

These letters use people in the public eye (who we can hardly ignore) to remind us how depraved we are without God as our guide, which is great.  But it kind of stinks that it's the undesirable behavior that's getting so much attention. That's why I wanted to write a letter to you.

Dear Sadie,

I'm a huge fan of Duck Dynasty.  Living next door to Louisiana, and having been raised in a small-town, I rather feel like you're my neighbor- or someone I'd want to be my neighbor.  I love the idea of simple life that focuses on faith and family.  I'm thrilled that your family's show has been such a big hit.  I've been asked a dozen times which character on the show is my favorite.  And I must say that I have a hard time saying because you all play such a special part. God is the coolest when it comes to our design. He purposes each person to bring something special to the "table" of life.

You though Sadie have caught my attention.

I've seen the video of you and your friend Kolby advertising your Monday segment "I am Different". Here's the link for anybody who hasn't:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=85nDCFuiBzA&fulldescription=1&client=mv-google&hl=en&guid=&gl=US

I love it that you're sharing that it's ok to follow God's view of living versus the world's view; the one we find on most reality shows and in everywhere else in the media.

I'm giddy that you're using God's word as one of authority instead of pointing girls to "what guys think or want" or even basing your words on your own opinion (you are famous after all).

I also noticed that you're coming out with your own collection of prom dresses.  I love that you're not shying away from purity; you're rather bold with it.

This is SUCH a big deal.

I so admire you sitting on the porch swing (in the video) putting your faith out there, all the while being nervous knowing full well that it may draw criticism from those who think differently than you or simply from those who make a habit of bringing others down.

This is an altogether different thing than standing behind your parent's faith in hopes that the living out of their faith pretty much covers you too.

You're owning your faith.  I like that.

There may be young girls out there that think this endeavor, and that your life in general, is easy.  Afterall, you have money, fame and good looks to boot.  But I know better.  Life isn't easy.  Life as a believer isn't always easy either, but life as a believer is one filled with hope and promise..

I just want to say that "this thing that you're doing" is worth it.  I wish I had lived out my faith more boldly.

So to you and to every other girl out there:

I think I speak for all moms of faith when I say-

I can guarantee you'll not regret teenage years well-lived and God-centered.  You will however, regret times when you base your decisions on fickle feelings instead of what you know is right. You will do some of both.

Know that I and thousands of moms are behind you. We're a part of "that cloud of witnesses" and we're on the sidelines cheering you on.   We're over the moon excited to hear you talk about your relationship with Christ and of purity instead of things that won't matter next month when the calendar page is flipped.

We're praying for you; praying that God will guide you in your willingness to be a light.  We're praying that your desire for Him will continue to grow.

We won't expect you to be perfect.  We pray that you'll experience His endless, matchless grace when you do get out of step. We pray that the knowledge of that grace will help you get back into step without your wallowing in guilt or shame.

We pray..

-that on days when you feel ordinary, God would remind you that he has created you wonderfully with unique purpose

and on days when you feel extraordinary and maybe even a little self-absorbed (like we all do) that God would humble and overwhelm you by His greatness.

You have our prayer that in the busyness of life-when you're trying to do everything right- but you just feel tired, that you will remember to "Just be still and know that He is God"

He is God on bad hair days

And He's God on the days when it seems like the whole world is crashing down around you.

We pray that you will be surrounded by Godly influence and that even in your youth, that you'll be one too.

Our prayer is that you will be thankful for a family who has made God their first love. A depth of that knowledge will help you to trust them in tough times when you have disagreements.

Be confident when your plans don't pan out, that the plans God has for you are better than the ones you dreamed for yourself. I personally hope your Monday video views skyrocket.

God tells us in Hebrews 10:24

 Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works......encouraging one another

There's a lot being "stirred up" these days.  I just want to say thank you for what you're stirring up.

We thank you,

Kristi Burden

and a host of cheering fans