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He's Thirteen!

By the time you read this, my oldest son would have turned 13 years old.  Thirteen! I HAVE A TEENAGER! Somebody ring the alarm!!!!  My mouth is open in amazement. I remember the night before, rushing out the house, breaking every traffic law racing to get to the hospital.  He was born at exactly 12 noon.  And now...he's thirteen. Reflecting for a moment...

I have been seriously thinking about what to say to him, what prolific speech to give.  He's very intelligent with lots of success so far.  He is a leader, very vocal and loves to be around his friends.  He's athletic and loves to play and watch sports.  So, what can I tell him as a dad to inspire him and challenge his life and character?  There was one thought that God put on my mind...

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers...be careful that you do not forget the LORD... Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors, thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said. -- Deuteronomy 6:4-19 NIV

I don't believe I can give him any better advice than this.  In essence, this would encompass everything I would need to cover -- his challenging academics, his thriving social life, girls, and his faith.  I myself am nervous and excited for what this year will bring.  I know it will be fantastic.  Yet, I truly believe that if he follows this simple passage, and if I as his dad consistently refresh him of this passage, he will have a successful year and teenage journey.

What advice do you and would you give as your child enters into new phase in life?  I'm back, but I still have No Off Season...





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