To Grace, on your 16th Birthday!

 Happy Golden Birthday Dear One.

I cannot believe you are 16.  Growing up, I knew these milestone moments meant something to me, but I never imagined what my mom might be feeling.  Maybe because I'm not her oldest.  For my firstborn kiddo to be 16?  That feels big.  

This whole year has felt big.  You are going to a public school for the first time and that has been an interesting experience.  I think going from accepting you were going to get in, because of location and homeschooling, to getting a spot and navigating all that meant was such a rush.  I am so proud of how you have handled it, although I am so glad you were home with me for so many years first.  I am thankful for the time to build into your character and speak life to you before sending you out into the world.

It is such a weird world to be immersed in, isn't it?  All of the sudden you are surrounded by people who aren't on your team, who don't share your beliefs, and who aren't necessarily concerned with your well-being or happiness.  The world is such a strange place and as you've said tends to think Christians can be weird and outdated - or at least don't fit in all the way.  I hope your dad and I have demonstrated how to be a part of the world without conforming to it.  

Most of all, I hope you find your people.  I pray regularly for your friends.  Not only the ones you have now but the ones that are going to walk with you through the various seasons of life that are coming.  Some may stay the same, but there will be friends that come and go.  There may be feelings of betrayal or relief as all that happens.  You may have seasons of loneliness or abundance.  Who you surround yourself with matters.  Who you let speak into your life and have influence matters more than I can put into words.  It may not seem like it, or you may think you have it under control, but trust me on this one?  Choose your inner circle wisely dear girl, and don't forget God walks with you always.  

Of course, I say God is with you always knowing it probably won't always feel like it.  As you know, there were seasons in my life where I questioned God's character and if He was even worth it.  You know where I landed on that...but if you end up with that struggle, know there are women who have gone before you who can help you on your way.  I had my grandmas, mom, and various women in my life who went before me, helped me along, and strengthened my knowledge of God.  That is part of why I wanted to collect birthday letters for you, because, in fact many of those women who walked with me are the same women who wrote letters for you.

Each one of the women writing these letters has a different story.  You'll see people who chased God and found Him, people who right now doubt His goodness, women who have known pain and loss, women who have celebrated miracles.  All of them are cheering you on and are more than willing to tell you about their journeys.  I hope you will find good advice in these letters.  More than that, I hope you will find a tribe if you will...starting with us old ladies and adding to it your friends and women you trust who will guide you on the way.  

If I could give you any advice, it'd be these two things.

1. Know who God is.  
Take the time to read the Bible.  Learn how to understand it.  Dive in and own it.  The more you know about the character of God, the more you'll know you can trust Him in all the things.  If you go to Him first in prayer, if you trust Him with your life, it changes everything.

2. Know who He says you are.
You are a dearly loved child of God.  Your faith in God is something no one can take away from you.  No matter what else happens in life, no one can take your faith.  God says you are loved, chosen, and His.  You are not an accident, you aren't a surprise, your days are known.  If it feels like the world is against you, remember God isn't.  He is FOR you always.

I love you.  I am proud of you.  I hope you know that always.

Mom