I’ve hardly had time to reflect on the fact that I’m now the mom of two teenage girls. I can only imagine how much wisdom I will need in the coming years!
As I look back from this milestone, I’m discovering three lessons that applied during those early years of mothering that I can still apply today.
1. “It” will come. What is “it?” That changes from one stage to another. Sleeping through the night, potty training, learning to read, showering daily without having to be reminded – if a child develops normally, all of those things will happen at some point. It may not be on my time schedule, but it will come. My part in the process involves praying for patience, quietly encouraging my child, and cheering progress, knowing that sooner or later, it will come. (I’m thinking our next “it” will be driving. 🙂
2. Each child is an individual with his own personality and interests. It’s not my job as a parent to force my child to like what I like or what I think they should like. My girls are very different and I want to respect and appreciate those differences. One child is very social and one, while she enjoys her friends, very much values her downtime. I want to not only note, but also enjoy the differences and help them to develop their specific interests and talents.
3. God answers prayer. From their friendships to ministry opportunities to getting a good grade on a test they’ve prepared for, the greatest work I can do as their mother is to pray for them. These days my prayers center on their personal walk with God, asking for their hearts to be open to His leading in these coming years.
What a privilege I have been given to walk with these young women through each stage of their lives!
I couldn’t let the day go by without remembering Angel. Eighteen years ago today, I became a mother for the first time. That precious daughter went straight to heaven, a gift from God that demonstrated to my husband and I God’s grace and goodness in a way that I believe we could only have understood through that trial.
Today I take a minute to wonder what it would be like with three teenage girls in the house??? Wouldn’t that be something! I’m thinking we’d need another bathroom so that everyone could get out the door on time in the mornings!
How thankful I am for the lessons learned from those months of carrying our special baby. It birthed many other blessings in our lives, and I look forward to the day we’ll see her again!
You can read all about our story of God’s goodness and grace here.
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I, too, am experiencing a lot of "it's" happening in my life right now. Your post today is a great and precious perspective on life, Tracey. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Happy birthday to Angel! I can imagine how much you miss her, and I know how much you look forward to meeting her in Heaven.
When I hear people talk about how hard it is to deal with teenagers, I can't help but wonder if a good foundation set when they are toddlers would help immensely. I don't know yet, but it's my goal to find out! I refuse to dread the teenage years!
Thank you for the reminder that "it" will come. The "it" I'm waiting for right now is this baby coming! 🙂
Can't wait to hear the news that your baby has arrived!! Hope you're still feeling okay.
No, definitely don't dread the teenage years. I'm finding that it's like every other season of parenting – it has its challenges, but it also has many rewards. While I'm certainly no expert, I'm just trying to keep the lines of communication open and remembering the importance of hearing their heart through the words they're saying as well as their actions.
Such a beautiful post! And you give me so much hope to not dread the teens! You keep me excited, and I am SO THANKFUL to you for that!!!
You seem to have such good relationships with both kids that I think you'll do just fine with them as teenagers! There will be challenges as they develop their independence, but I'm finding that lots of love, patience, and communication go a long way! At least I'm hoping and praying that continues to work! 😉