Tag: teenager

A Room full of Teenagers…..

Happening right now in our family room is my daughter’s 16th birthday party. There are 20 of them, watching a movie, eating burgers, fries and an unnatural amount of sugar. My husband and I have escaped with the angel dog to our bedroom, where we are eating skittles on our bed, drawing straws on who is the next one to “make an appearance” and make sure that things are on the “up and up.”

This morning, we were also surrounded by teenagers, this time at our church, where we attended a funeral for an eighteen year old high school senior, who died unexpectedly at his school less than a week ago. The young man who died was a strong Christian, who lived his short life to the honor and glory of his Father in heaven. He ran his race and was called home and heard his Savior say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Some times God provides sharp contrast in our lives. The room full of teenagers in my house right now make me crazy in my brain, most of the time. Yet, one of the boys looked up innocently earlier and said, “do you have any new batteries mom?” He is not my son. technically. But, he sees me as a mom. What a privilege!

Sharp contrasts.

There was a time in my life when I didn’t think that being a mom was going to be part of my story. There was a time in my life when the thought of a room full of teenagers was an unfulfilled dream. But, my God is faithful and His timing is perfect.

So, I consider time with each one of these teenagers a blessing. I want our home to be a place where they can gather and steal away from the pressures of life. I will cherish each day with my own teenage daughter because time is fleeting and life is short.

Oh and my husband drew the short straw!

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
    at best, each of us is but a breath.”  Psalm 39:4-5

And So It Begins….

“You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.” Psalm 119:2 (The Message)

Greetings!

I can just see my sixteen year old daughter rolling her eyes at this start. You see, she already told me that she thinks it is ridiculous when I begin a text with “greetings”. For that matter, she can’t believe that I insist on texting in complete sentences. If God has blessed you with a teenager, you know that opinions are shared, even if they are difficult to hear. Laughs are shared too, often at this dear old mom’s expense. And joy, well it comes too, when you learn to not take yourself too seriously and just enjoy the ride.

So, yes, greetings is what I have to offer as I begin this exciting new journey! I have been thinking a lot about transitions lately, because it seems that I am in the midst of a few right now: menopause, a brand new teenage driver, caring for aging family members, and the realization that my rear end seems to be growing at an exponentially alarming rate, just to name a few!

I broke down yesterday and purchased a pair of “cheaters”. I have actually needed these glasses for 8 years now. But I have simply refused to give into this part of the aging process. Giving in can be such a difficult process. Along with “giving in” to my new cheaters, came following a steady nudge from God to begin a blog. You see, I have felt this nudge for about the same time that I needed these glasses.

But, in this new year, God has been adjusting my sight. He has been closing doors and providing insights. He has been trimming away insecurities and breathing life into areas that I thought I had hidden from Him. He has been calling me to be bolder, more patient, extend more grace, practice forgiveness and not take myself too seriously.

So, I invite you to take this journey with me. I plan to share some of the things He is teaching me using this blog. The blog title provides my framework. I will talk about love. I will talk about faith. And I will definitely talk a lot about a very special angel dog that God placed in my life “for such a time as this”.

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