I’m holding my youngest daughter to a promise. It works every once in a while. Her promise these past couple of years has been quite simply to remain who she is, meaning she will not become the stereotypical teenager. You know, acting selfish and sassy and grumpy and just generally remaining in that state of not really liking her parents and thinking she knows more than they do. Whenever my little angel starts to demonstrate even a hint of those behaviors, I’m quick to remind her, “You said you would not turn into that. Remember? You promised!”

 

Last night, at least for a couple of hours, she made good on that promise. We wrestled and tickled and snuggled and laughed almost uncontrollably while watching a kid-friendly movie and poking fun at her mother, the wife of my youth. Given my daughter’s current station in life, that of a pre-teen, these moments don’t always come about, but I’ll take them when I can get them.

 

I know, as my daughter grows eventually into a young adult, she must develop an identity independent from her parents and build a capacity for independent decision-making. But do I have to like it? What if I love and miss the sweet little lady of her younger years? What if I long for her to look up to me and think I’m her hero?

 

Her physical growth is very important, but something even more critical is taking place. I take heart in the truth of Scripture: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). My daughter may take some detours and be tempted to depart from the right path, but I’m praying and trusting that God will keep her on the road to both physical and spiritual maturity. I’m believing in the God who always keeps His promises.

 

Troy Burns