Teenager In the House

We left for Washington D.C. in October; we returned home and it was November.

We left home with a 12-year-old; we returned home with a teenager.

Yes, our oldest son turned 13 while we were in Washington D.C. I find myself staring at him often...so amazed that this handsome young man could possibly be my son.

Prior to our son's birthday, my husband and I had written to several of the men in our son's life, asking them to write letters in honor of this milestone birthday. We wanted to compile a scrapbook of letters from men our son looks up to and respects; letters that would challenge and encourage our son to honor God with his life; letters that would spur him on in his walk with Christ.

I was overwhelmed by the response. We received letters from grandpas and uncles; pastors, former Sunday School teachers, & AWANA leaders; dads of his friends; current high school and college friends who are just a bit ahead of him in life.


We presented him with his scrapbook on November 3. I'm fully aware that at 13, this book likely will not mean as much now as it will a few years down the road. But regardless, I'm thankful that our son has these wise words from men he respects: men who are committed to God and to leading their families; men who have learned through their struggles; men who are daily being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. I'm thankful that our son has the examples of these men in his life; that he regularly sees what it means to live with passion and purpose; that through these men, he sees not "perfection," but a humility and a hunger to follow after God.

In celebration of his birthday, we went to a morning matinee of "The Bee Movie," followed by a visit to the International Spy Museum. This was right up his alley! We further celebrated with a visit to The Cheesecake Factory, where our son got the royal treatment with a birthday serenade from the wait-staff. Long story short...this is one memory that will always make us laugh!




And so, my son, I close this vacation remembrance by saying that your dad and I love you so much. Nothing you could ever do will cause us to love you any more or any less. You're growing and maturing and spreading your wings so quickly. So often I wish I could stop time....or just make it slow down. But still, I'm overjoyed to watch you becoming such an incredible young man. God has gifted you with so many amazing talents...among them, leadership. But as you've heard your dad say, a man leads by following...following passionately after Jesus Christ. It's our delight to watch as you learn what it means to walk with Him. We're learning, too, my son. And we are here to pray with you and for you; to disciple, to train, to model; to walk with you as God's plan unfolds in your life.