13 going on 30...

My oldest daughter turns 13 in a few weeks. She and I have had many conversations about being true to yourself, your morals, values, etc. As we all know, being a teenager is so confusing. It is often the turning point that will determine a lot of things down the road. I remember at her age I felt completely inadequate and lost as to who I was. Because of that, I have tried to encourage my girls to be confident in who God created them to be, not to compare themselves to others or let others determine their worth. Stressing to never compromise themselves or their beliefs for anyone. I just always pray that both of them will embrace their true identity in Christ and not be ashamed of who they are even if that means not being the most popular or accepted by their peers.

Guys, these girls have had to deal with things that they shouldn’t have, as many kids do. They have been surrounded with so many voices from so many directions pumping them full of all kinds of confusing and conflicting information. It’s broken my heart at times because of how it could affect them. I often wonder what they’re really retaining and what they aren’t. You know that question all parents ask themselves....”Am I doing a good job with these little humans I’ve been entrusted with?”

A few days ago when she was at her Dad’s, my oldest and I were chatting, and I asked her to be honest about who she was...to be descriptive. I asked her to list things about herself that would describe who she was and to be totally open. While I won’t disclose our whole conversation, I do want to share this...This quote is one that she sent me when I asked her favorite or “go-to” quote….

“Isn’t it beautiful that you are already so amazing; and yet still…God’s not done with you.”

Yeah...I’m not crying. You’re crying.

All this time, all the conversations, all of my prayers submitting them to God and His will and asking Him to help mold them into amazing women so much better than their mom, to help them discern for His voice in all of the chaos and noise that surrounded them in their short years........and this is what she sends me.

There are so many lessons I’ve learned from this particular moment in life. One is, give God your kids and allow Him to be in control of their lives. Not you. He entrusted you with them. He knows what He’s doing. Second, let God guide you as a parent. It is very clear in the scriptures that we are supposed to allow God to use us, work through us, to rely on His strength....that is extremely applicable to being a parent just as it is in every other aspect of your life. Third, (definitely not last, but I won’t keep you all day), it’s all in the quote. Isn’t it seriously the most awesome feeling to know that God uniquely and purposefully designed YOU....one-of-a-kind YOU? He made each one of us an amazing creation in His image and He is not done! Every day if we allow Him to and submit to His will, He is still molding us and making us into something wonderful for His honor and glory! That’s top quality in my book. So we should never base our worth or value off of others opinions. The only opinion that matters is that of the Divine Creator who allows us life every day.

Needless to say, this moment with my almost teenager humbled me. We all need this reminder sometimes. Crazy that in this moment, the teacher became the student. She has been listening, and now, so am I. If only I had been that wise at her age. I tell her all the time that she is going to change the world. She started with mine.

My prayer is that in our moments of weakness, doubt, confusion, heartache, and even in moments of victory and praise may we never forget that God already created something so amazing, and He’s not finished yet! May we also remember that He’s got us, our children, our families, our friends…all of it…He has it under control. If we will trust Him, submit it all to Him and let go, He’ll do the rest. Let Him lead. Let Him work. Let Him have His way.

May your cup runneth over.