My Daughter is a Teenager

Recently, my daughter celebrated a birthday. She turned 13. It was a very fun time in our house, slumber party, family celebration, jokes about PG-13 movies she could now legally see (definitely only joking!), and most importantly, realizing that while she is now 13, she has "decided" not to fall into the sterotype we call "a teenager". Go Rachel.

My daughter is breaking the mold in many ways, and I am proud of her. The choices she is already making show a commitment to Godly living and a decision for Christ that I did not have at her age. I think I can safely say that many kids her age now do not share her views on modesty and purity, but she is determined to stand for her choices and I am determined to encourage and support her.

I decided last year that it was time to stop being in denial about how old my kids were getting and just embrace each age. I'm doing pretty well with that philosophy, except when I break out the baby pictures. I mean, just look at this kid! It really does feel like I blinked and she went from this:

To this:

But, I guess if she has to grow up, I'm glad she's growing in the direction she is. We trust our kids to the God who entrusts us to raise them. We teach them about Him, and His boundless love for us. We pray for our kids, play with our kids, walk and talk with them through all of life's challenges and gifts. And one day, we let them go. I know that day is coming...but not yet, thank goodness! I am happy she is 13, only 13. I love her and am trying to enjoy this time with her so I do not blink and find we have already reached another milestone.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4