Dear Brighton,
When you were three— blonde hair flopping around your darling face with those bright eyes— it was hard to imagine you grown up. The days of Thomas the Train and Matchbox cars seemed endless as does now your need for clean clothes and showers. Your long self fills your bottom bunk and somehow this fall, you have almost caught up to mine and Julia’s 5’7” frame. I’m okay with that, but your sister won’t be. I don’t think she’s noticed yet.
You are thirteen— a teenager. I forgot to ask you if you were a “real teenager”. When Julia turned thirteen 21 months ago, you were quick to tell her that 13 wasn’t really a teenager-- saying that the 13th year was just for pretending, but 14 would be the real deal. We’ve barely had time to talk about your becoming a teenager—- and YOU are the kid that would really have something to say about such an event. A couple of friends of ours came over the night before and gave you a “charge” so to speak. I wanted to push my way in and hear all of it but I didn’t. It was “men” time and you will just have to tell me about it. I am grateful for kind and strong men in your life who love you and want to see the best of you in the years to come.
So what does a momma have to say to her, now, teenage boy? I’ve been thinking about this for a while because I have read many amazing letters through the years. But only I know you like I do and I want my words to come from that place— knowing you as a mother knows her son. Most of that will be just be between you and me. I can’t let all my secrets out about you right now, can I? Some of those things are for me to know and me only.
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| You needed a haircut and you were resistant to pictures for the very first time. So.........I’ll try harder next year or make your daddy do it ; ) |
There are many things that can be said to a 13 year old boy— and I will probably say most of it at one point or another because I am like that— wanting to cover it all, trying not to miss anything important, using lots of words. And I know how much you LOVE that. However, only one thing is needed— a vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus, the One who loves you more than I do and the One who holds you in the palm of His hand, and the One who has plans and purposes for your life that I know nothing about,,,,,,,, yet. This one things covers a multitude of conversations. But to send you from our home, loving Jesus with whole hearted devotion, committing to following Him all of your days, serving Him with courage and integrity— what more could I ask for? And if I care about anything else a whole, whole lot, I need to check my own heart.
You're spiritually minded. It’s in your head. I think a lot has descended into your heart but much is still in your head. You think about God and, right now, you want to do the right thing. You are quick to admit wrong and quick to ask for forgiveness. But like many of us, especially your momma, very slow to change. You’re 13 so I know we still have much foolishness to wade through— spur of the moment bad decisions, words you’ll wish you’d never said, grades that won’t reflect your capabilities, girls who aren’t for you, actions you’ll wish you’d never put your hands and feet to— it’s all part of growing up. All part of learning as you mature. But of course my prayer is that those things will never satisfy, that they would come up empty and disappointing— and that the consequences would be an effective teacher to steer you back to wisdom and not have to follow you the rest of your days.
I hope you will find much satisfaction and FUN in days well chosen, days well lived— that seeing the difference is more obvious to you than when someone takes your Halloween candy. ; ) Instead of feeling hemmed in or trapped, I pray you would feel the freedom you DO have and run free and clear in the space laid out for you— and that you would feel that the boundary lines have fallen for you in pleasant places. And Brighton, this is where you’ll find blessing. That word is real- “blessing”. It is thrown around a lot, but when it comes to God and “blessing”, it’s a big deal. With obedience comes blessing. It may not be the blessings for which you are hoping, but over the long haul- living faithfully before the Lord and WITH Him, there is blessing-- like you will never know anywhere else. And I am as sure of that as I am knowing where your Halloween candy is. ; )
So, that’s the page, darling, that anything else I could ever say is written ON. Having that kind of relationship with the Lord—that’s the piece of paper I’d write any other advice on. Without that relationship, nothing else will work or matter a hill of beans.
Even with the relationship intact, much temptation will come. And remember, temptation is NOT sin. Only your response to it has potential for sin. This is where your strength has to kick in— those muscles of courage and bravery we’re trying to have you exercise because Brighton, there will be situations where YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE choosing to have courage and say, “no way”. This may make you feel amazing but it might make you feel like a lame-o, stupid loser for a short period of time. But remember, “I wish I had chosen to do the wrong thing” SAID NO ONE EVER. You will never regret a right decision, my son—one that is in line with the Truth. It just won’t happen.
I wish I could take Proverbs 2, make a delicious pizza, hamburger or nachos out of it and make you chew it up and eat it — if that helped me get it INSIDE OF YOU. Maybe an IV would be more effective?! Take this to heart, sweet B. These are words of life.
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a SHIELD to those whose walk is blameless,
for he GUARDS the course of the just
and PROTECTS the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will UNDERSTAND what is right and just
and fair—every GOOD path.
For WISDOM will enter your HEART,
and knowledge will be PLEASANT to your SOUL.
Discretion will PROTECT you,
and understanding will GUARD you.
{CAPS mine-- all words that a momma loves.}
That Proverb goes on to talk about the “wayward woman with her seductive words” and how her path leads “down to death” and causes them to forfeit the “path of life”. Don’t forfeit the “path of life” by giving into your curiosity for a few moments of pleasure. Death comes in many ways and you want every part of you to be ALIVE as you go out into this world to DO and BE all the God calls you to. Guard yourself, B. Be fierce about it. {You will hear this again— and again. And you will be okay with it because you love me.}
I see glimpses of the man God is making you to be, Brighton. If I can wade through the dirty clothes, your papers everywhere and the things you just can’t seem to keep up with, I see a young man capable of leading, serving, loving, and making a significant difference in the world around him.
You have what it takes, B.
I am so very proud to be your mom.
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| A picture of the 6th grade school picture |
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| Basketball was REALLY fun last year-- you guys won lots of games. |
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| And came in SECOND! {Thus the TWO fingers} You guys wore your MEDALS to school. Yes. You. Did. |
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| This might be the only night of the year that the two of you get along.... Christmas Eve |
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| This is the first of many pictures that I want you to remember that YOU ARE LOVED by MANY. You have a strong support of family AND friends around you who want the very best for you. |
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| The Badlands-- NPT 2016 |
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| Stinker-- |
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| You are so proud of your cousin RJ and Hunter’s boyfriend, Jason. Some of this is random but most of it’s theirs that you laid out. |
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| Cousins. You are the baby and you are loved. |
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| This guy loves you too-- and he doesn’t HAVE to! |
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| Saturday morning AFTER the late night sleepover... Good friends. |
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| Young Life Camp-- Wyldlife-- 2016 |
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| This one HAS to love you but I think she would anyway. ; ) {Rough Riders!} |
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| You’ve spent a lot of time checking your muscles this year. |
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| Yes-- this means love. |
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| New experience with Daddy |
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| It’s “the smile” we get for pictures these days... |
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| More love. |
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| Teaching beach family -- You can’t see me!!! |
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| Your first “Dallas Experience”-- girl drama and lots of hard work |
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| Rough Rider game with friends |
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| Fort Worth family-- known all your life |
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| First football camp-- with Luke-- known him since babyhood too. |
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| These moments make a momma happy. She can’t help but yank out her camera. No matter how she talks to you, B, she LOVES YOU. |
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You did a big new thing this year-- you started public school!! And YOU LOVE IT! And the coolest thing-- look who the first people you saw that first morning were-- life long friends.
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| More friends you’ve known all your life-- after school Costco run |
It’s been a great year with lots of memories-- but I want you to remember these people. It’s the relationships that will mean the most to you through the years. Be grateful.
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| LAST YEAR- 2015 |
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| THIS YEAR- 2016 |
Goodbye 12. Hello 13.
P.S. Things to note: shaving adventures, 6:30 am football practices, saluting after a deflected pass {no sir}, dabbing, lost baby belly, brand names {ugh}, loves cafeteria food, bow ties, your response after Julia left the house for homecoming with Nate's family {"Nothing like that has ever happened to me before.}, camp out DRAMA-- will add more as I think of them.
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