Teenager's are like aliens

 When my baby Brittany turned 13, she morphed into a strange creature.  She suddenly wanted to be left alone.  I lost being "cool" years ago, but nobody prepared me for what was to come.  This year she turned 14.  Its a roller coaster ride, I must say.  I think I'd like to jump off, and get back on when she's 20ish!  Please tell me it gets better......She's so much like me.

  I was young when she was born.  I was "in love" and couldn't be stopped.  I was on my own roller coaster ride.  She came into this world with no hair, no direction manual, and totally dependant on me.  It was love at first sight.  I had no idea this little person growing in me at age 17 would completely change the direction of my life.  I know God had great plans for me, if I followed his rules.  I decided though that I would rather do things my way.  She's so much like me!

  I see myself in her everyday.  I have prayed she would turn out different than me.  I thought if I could just protect her from the monsters out there, she would be okay. She's stubborn, hard headed, strong willed, determined, sarcastic, funny, beautiful, sweet, kind, and thoughtful...a lot like me;)

  This week I had a reality check.  Not that I don't live in reality with 4 kids, but I got a good dose of my own medicine.  When I was 14, I did some things I am not proud of.  Nothing to serious, but mischievous, nonetheless.  I do think she's on a much better path than I was at that age, but then again she's had a lot of worldly things hidden from her.  She's let me down.  It makes me sad.  It makes me wonder what we are doing wrong.  We live a pretty conservative life.  No cable TV, only "E" rated games, homeschooling, reading our Bibles, active in a Bible believing Baptist church, semi active with other homeschoolers, and trying to train our kids to love and serve God.  What are we missing?  Are we....or am I leaving something out?  What can I do better? 

  I can only pray that she follows Gods path for her life.  It would be so sad to see her life changed by a dumb decision.  But that's all it takes.  One choice can totally change the direction of our lives.  Life is so much easier when we do things Gods way.  Its less painful.  We have less baggage.  Our hearts can be pure and clean, and without blemish or regret. 

  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 33:3.  It says,"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."  I am constantly finding ways to apply this verse to my life.  I love it because it has taught me that if I pray and ask God for help, he will answer me.  The answer may not always be what I want to hear, but it is ALWAYS what I need to hear. He's shown me things that I wouldn't have seen if I hadn't asked Him for help.  God ALWAYS answers my prayers......even that one I prayed at 16.  Laying in my bed I prayed like I had never prayed before asking God to please not let me be pregnant. Well he answered my prayer with a positive pregnancy test!  It was still an answer, just not the one I was counting on.  My sin had consequences.  Getting back on His path helped heal.  Time helped heal.  Asking for forgiveness helped heal.  Accepting his forgiveness really helped heal! 

  What a blessing she turned out to be!  I guess I'll strap my seat belt on for this ride!  Its just begun, but thank God for it!  And she did come with a manual afterall...its called a Bible!  Thank God, I've learned to use it!