The Joys of Turning Double Digits!

What a delight to share with you today the incredible journey we experience as parents as we watch our children grow in so many ways. JH turned double digits this past year and I remember specifically how badly he wanted to be 10. (I love you, JH!) He thought every day counting down to his birthday, "If only I was already double digits...I would be big!" I've got news for him...he IS already big! I'll be lucky if he doesn't pass me in height within the next 3 years ... and as you know ... I'm not that short. I'm not sure what it is that causes kids this age to have such a great desire to turn "double digits" but I know my niece MS was extremely excited when she turned 10 as well. (Hi, MS!) They feel more grown-up and closer to turning that next big milestone age of 13 ...the teen years! Our close friend JD is celebrating his 13th birthday this week along with his younger brother HD who is turning 6. Happy Birthday guys! Hope its the best birthday yet!!
No matter how old your child is, their birthday is always a special moment and a BIG DEAL to them. Make the most of it as best you can and help them feel extra special on their day. One of the extra things I like to do when I can is have a little fun by celebrating what we like to call their HALF BIRTHDAY. This means exactly 6 months after your last birthday...You would receive a half of a birthday card (kindly cut in half diagonally by mom or dad so it's impossible to read all the writing!) With this strange event, we follow up with half a cupcake or a couple of 1/2 size cookies each for dessert and sing, "Happy Half Birthday to You". I'm not sure I would try this idea with teenagers...they may think you're nuts! Or...they may think you're totally cool! Either way, it gives a good laugh and the message gets across that they are important enough to us for us to be creative and do something silly to make their day a little more special on the Half Year mark. We ususally give a token gift and let them choose somewhere special they would like to go that day...a park, playland, arcade, etc.
But then... we remind them they are another year older in Christ. Its always a good thing to sit down with your child once or twice a year or more and see how well they can describe the Gospel message to you. It gives a glimpse of their understanding of spiritual concepts and how well they can communicate what they know and believe. God will bless your efforts to allow your child to expand their minds and see the bigger picture of who God is and what Jesus really did for us that day he died for us on the cross. I felt that this year with turning 10, my son really expressed his inner desire to get Baptised and we know that soon he will get that opportunity. Bible memorization and communicating his understanding of the Gospel were two keys our pastor felt he needed to be able to do when JH first asked to be baptised two years ago. We feel he is now ready and hope to share in this joyous event with you someday soon.
Double Digits has brought with it lots of growing pains for JH, changes physically (needing to wear deodorant now and growing out of 2 shoe sizes in 3 mos!) and emotionally (better social awareness and maturity), but most of all - new challenges spiritually- as JH begins to ask more and more questions into understanding God's plan for his life. We welcome this challenge with open arms because a child that is curious and asking questions is on the right track to enriching and improving their relationship with Jesus Christ.
I hope you find this year (no matter what age your child is at) to be a year filled with new insight and understanding from your child's perspective on who God is. May you all rejoice in your children and crave to fan their flame of passion for living a life for Christ. We only get to have them for a short time in our lives...tomorrow brings another year and another step closer to JH developing more into a man of God and venturing out on his own. May we all prepare our children for that wonderful day when God calls them. Live the dream of a better life in Christ. Enrich your lives in His Word and shower your children with the love of Jesus. Praise the Lord for His Goodness. May you and your families be truly blessed today!