I realize that many of you have already been down this road. You are all to familiar with the joys and the heartaches alike. As I stand before this new stage with the curtain drawing open, I am a bit nervous, a bit anxious. I pray for God's wisdom, discernment, understanding, patience, and endurance.
Caleb, our oldest, turned 13 today, our first teenager. And now the same thing will occur again every two years for a decade.
Happy birthday, Caleb!
Brother, I feel your pain. When children become teenagers, even the best of them go criminally insane. Do not take this as a discouragement.....
I will never forget something that Dr. Ruckman said: "God is very gracious. He gives us twelve years in which to love our children, before they become teenagers!"
:laughi10:
But, seriously, we'll remember Caleb, and your entire family, in our prayers. You're right: children
are a blessing, and teenagers can be wonderful.
Sometimes PK's (preacher's kids) go awry and become rebellious, but this should not be a apprehensive time but a time of great expectant time. Your son has crossed yet another threshold toward being a man you have shown him he should be. You have taught him to respect women, to be a good father, to honor God and place Him first in his life, and you have shown him to be moderate in all things. God help you during this time and when your nest shall be empty. Don't worry or be sad.
Brother Daniel, you have an advantage over me: I did not know the Lord when I raised my two children to adulthood.
However, as a parent who survived two teenagers, I'll give you the advice my older sister gave to me: you only have to get through one day at a time without killing them. :biggrin:
Congrats Caleb on reaching that first plateau of Life.
My brother Daniel you have my deepest sympathies that teendom has invaded your home. I shall be praying for you and your dear mrs.
Gary
Thank you all for the well-wishes and the prayers. I think the hardest thing, so far, is catching myself saying things and telling my my kids things that, when I was a kid, I swore I would never do. Ha, when I have kids I'll not ... (fill in the blank). Some days I look in the mirror and see my Dad, and that scares me. My Dad was ... well that's another story all together. Anyway, thanks again.