A Letter to My Child

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Dear child of mine who happens to be a teenager,

I know that you and I can get on each other’s nerves.  But I want you to know that I love you and that God is showing me so much about Himself, and about myself, just by you being here.  I am a better person having known you and I want you to know I am so thankful that God has put you in my life. I know that sometimes It doesn’t seem as though I am thankful.  But I am.  Please forgive me for not expressing that often enough.

Sometimes you can be hard to live with.  You are moody. You are irritable.  You question EVERYTHING. You don’t always want to listen.  You think that the things I say are kind of stupid at times.  You question God.  You question and question…and challenge and challenge.   You raise your voice.  You say foolish things.  You can be disrespectful.  Yes.  It can be hard some days.

 People call this “normal teenage behavior” but I know what it really is…

 The truth is….God has been showing me the truth about MYSELF. As I walk with you through these years I am seeing that I really am not that much different that you are.  And because of that, I need to be much more grace filled and understanding of you.

 I have failed at that on many days.  Please forgive me.

 Here’s what I see. I can be hard to live with as well.  There are days when I am moody and irritable.  I question things too.  I question God.  I ask why.  I challenge Him in my own way. I don’t always want to listen.  I can be very rebellious.  It may not be in the same areas that you battle,  or look the same way as it does in your life, but it’s there in my heart.

 There are days I raise my voice.  To you.  To your father.  I do it too.

 I say foolish things too.  I can be disrespectful.  I can be impatient.

 You see?  You and I really are a lot alike.  The sin you battle. The questions. The feeling of wanting independence…of wanting to do your own thing…of wanting to challenge…I am still facing the same battles.

 I will face these battles until I die and so will you.

 I am praying that God would remind me that it’s not always a bad thing for you to challenge or have questions! The fact that you have questions shows that you are GROWING, THINKING…and that God is at work in you, and I need to REJOICE IN THAT!

 When I respond poorly to your questions it is usually motivated by fear or pride.  Please forgive me.  I want to do what I can to work WITH you. Walk WITH you.  I am praying for  God to help me understand you and show you grace.  You are my child. We are a part of the body of Christ.  Because of that I am called to live with you and help you… we are walking this road together.

 We are so much alike.  I am on your side.  I am for you.  

 I pray that I can grow in these areas and set an example for you to follow as you make your own way in your walk with God. I pray that you will experience Him in a deeper way for yourself as He shows Himself to you.   I look forward to the day when we can look back and see how we both have grown!

 I Love you,

Your mom and fellow stumbling sister in Christ.

Gina Smith

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Stephanie Shott
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