Hey kid,

It’s HERE! The “dreaded” teen years are upon us. Netflix shows and blog posts warn us nervous mamas that this phase will involve slammed doors, eye rolls, a vapid disinterest in all things family, and words that range from fluent sarcasm to pure venom.

But somehow—call me naïve—I don’t think it’s going to play out like that for us.

Why?

Well, firstly, this mama ain’t gonna be puttin’ up with no sass. But, most importantly, you’re growing into a young man who knows and loves God.

No, things won’t be all sunshine and roses, but I know we’ll get through the teen years with plenty of laughs and conversations, truckloads of grace, and a whole lotta Jesus.

But, hey, before I give you the whole mama spiel (and I can’t promise not to embarrass you with that!)—how in the world did we get here? Weren’t you a red-faced, wiggly little thing just a moment ago? It flashes by in an instant, kid. It does.

The other day, you had to jump in and correct my text to your friends’ moms when I tried to organize a “playdate” for you. You were aghast—to put it mildly. You had to pull the emergency brake with a shocked: “Mama, not ‘playdate’—it’s a ‘hangout’!!”

Oopsies! I stand corrected. Clearly, I have to get with the program here. (Also, side note: I’m already biting my nails thinking of the day you won’t need my help to organize non-playdate “dates.” There’s no tearing hurry for those. And, thankfully, at 13, you’re still enthusiastically agreeing with me on that. Phew!)

But I digress.  Here’s the promised mama spiel: My heart is bursting with pride seeing the young man you’re growing into.

A young man who wakes up with a spring in his step, makes his bed, and reads his Bible every morning without being told. A young man who doesn’t have an unkind thing to say about anyone and hasn’t ever shown the faintest hint of aggression. A young man with a startling imagination whose stories and artwork take us through “portals” into a whole new world filled with fantastical characters and plots that would leave Tolkien flabbergasted. A young man who can lose himself in a book for hours but also gets down on all fours and goofs around with his little-kid cousins. A young man who adores his grandparents, who protects his little sis (while also effortlessly managing to annoy her), and who makes his parents stupid-grin because they are so grateful to God for who you are and who you’re becoming.

I don’t know what the next few years will bring, but I know the One who does. So here’s my prayer for you, our newly-minted teen:

May you never be swayed by the crowd, but may your heart always be moved by the person who is broken or hurt.

May you never put your confidence in your own abilities, but in God who won’t ever let you down.

May you always show kindness, even when it costs you. Kindness is not the same as being “nice”— because niceness often has to do with our own insecurities. Kindness runs deeper—it loves others when it’s inconvenient and there’s absolutely nothing in it for you.

May you work at everything with excellence. Not perfection, but excellence—because that’s what happens when you know your Father in Heaven is smiling down on you.

May you have times of laugh-till-your-side-aches fun—but never at the expense of anyone else. In the midst of stifling pressure that comes with being a teen, that always-right Sunday School response still holds good: Jesus is the answer. Turn to Him when you don’t know which way to go. Connect with Him more than you do with your phone (Which I promise you’ll get in a few years.)

May you be all that you’re created to be. Without a doubt, God has invested tons of talent in you. Never be afraid of using your gifts because you think you’ll fail. If there’s no fear, there’s also no need to trust God, is there? As much as you love your Marvel superheroes (and enjoy correcting me when I mix up Marvel and DC characters), you don’t have to be invincible like them. You just have to step out of the boat. (And ignore your overprotective mama who’ll be yelling in the background: “Wear your life-vest.”). Just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and you’ll do awesome.

There’s a lot more I’d love to share. But this may sound like a sermon you didn’t ask for. So, I’ll stop for now and only say that you can always count on your dad and my unconditional love for you.

We have about five years left with you before you head off to college. But this usually-panicky mama will learn and trust that even if you’re far from us, you won’t ever be alone. May that be your security too. That God walks in step with you through all of the unknowns.

Meanwhile, if you share my goldfish-like memory and forget everything else I’ve shared so far, here are two things to hold tight to: Love God and love people.

Happy 13th Birthday!!

All my love,

Mama