Taylor, there is so much wisdom I want you to have before you launch from this place, but I know I won't be able to give you everything you need. I have this prayer on the refrigerator and pray this often:
Lord, see in them
what I cannot see.
Lord, bring to light
what I do not know.
Lord, teach them of
what I am not aware.
Lord, whisper to them
what I have forgotten.
Lord, warn them of
what I have omitted.
Lord, be for them
what I cannot be.
Lord, love them for
you are all they need.
I found this letter from a mom to her son on his 13th birthday and thought she had some good words of wisdom I could also share with you....
Dear Son,
Where have the years gone? Just yesterday you were a little boy learning to count using your Hot Wheels cars. Now you’re almost as tall as I am, looking more and more like a man and less and less like my little boy.
I am so proud of you.
As you enter your teenage years, there are a few things I’d like you to remember.
CHARACTER MATTERS
As you grow older, you are earning more freedom. Gone are the days when we attend your every soccer practice. You frequently attend events where your dad and I are not present.
Use that freedom wisely.
It’s true that with more freedom comes more opportunity to break the rules. But know what you do in private is still known by God himself.
Integrity is important. Be the man in private that you display to the public. Love God. Respect others. Be honest. Show yourself true to your word. These character traits will take you far in life.
In the long run, good character is far more important than the momentary gain you will receive from a dishonest grade, a broken confidence, or a momentary gain in popularity at the expense of another.
A good name is more desireable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 NIV
KEEP YOUR MIND PURE
With more freedom and access to technology, you will have more opportunity to view images, read books, and watch movies that are both unwholesome and not at all glorifying to God.
Your friends may encourage you to participate in these activities with them.
Stand strong.
What you put into your mind today will have long lasting effects on your relationships with women and your marriage in the future.
You will be tempted. That is certain. But remember that the women you are being invited to see are created by God and loved immensely by him. If you would not feel comfortable seeing your sisters in the media you consume, don’t consume it. Because those women? They’re somebody’s sisters.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9 ESV
USE YOUR STRENGTH WISELY
You have grown immensely in the last couple of years. Whether you realize it or not, you are now stronger than your sisters and I.
Your boyish roughousing now has the potential to hurt. Really hurt.
You are adjusting to your newer, more manly body. Learn to use your strength for good.
Protect those who need protecting. Physically help those who need helping. Work hard, as if you are working for the Lord. Because you are. God gave men strength for a reason. Make sure you use that strength to glorify Him.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
BE A LEADER
You are now at the age where it is tempting to just be “one of the guys.” And having fun with good friends is a good thing…to a point.
Many a teenage boy has found himself in a load of trouble for doing something “because everyone else is doing it.”
Don’t be one of those guys.
You step up. You be the leader. Don’t let your friends influence you. You influence them and lead them toward Christ.
Eventually you will be the leader of your home, leading your children to Christ. Use these teen years to practice your leadership skills. You will need them for the rest of your life.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV
DON’T NEGLECT YOUR FIRST LOVE
Lean in, because I don’t want you to miss this. If there is anything you take away from this letter, let it be this: Do not neglect your relationship with God.
He created you.
He knows you like no other. He loves you with an everlasting love. He saved you from the consequences of every sin you have committed and every sin you will commit. And he did it at the expense of the life of his own Son.
Never forget the significance of that fact.
As much as I love you (and I love you a lot), God loves you more. He is ready and willing to guide you through this thing called life, if you’ll only let him.
Spend time in the word. Pray frequently. Take your celebrations, your problems, and your worries to the Lord.
God has given you the wisdom you need for life in his Word.
The Holy Spirit lives within you, ready to guide you in all circumstances. Don’t neglect those gifts.
Put God first in your life. Everything else will fall into place. You’ll be tempted to spend your time and money on other things – sports, work, and yes, even girls. And those things aren’t bad, as long as you don’t put them in the highest place – the place where God belongs.
Keep your priorities straight: first God, then others, finally yourself. If you do that, you’ll be just fine in life.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Son, I love you so much. God has gifted you in so many ways, and I cannot wait to see how you use those gifts. I love the man you are becoming, and I thank God for you every day.
Happy thirteenth birthday.
Love,
Mom
