I'm Not in Kansas Anymore

I have to say parenting a teen is so different from parenting younger children. (To me anyway.) Everything is new and different. There are so many things that I don't feel prepared for. I just don’t feel as confident in my parenting as I did when he was younger. I mean I was always reading books and I had friends in the same life stage to talk to and compare ideas with and it was just easier to set boundaries. I struggle with so many decisions now. I mean, I don’t think I’m a push over; the basic principles are still there. Be respectful, be honest, honor and obey mom and dad. I think the battle I have is within me. Is it really okay for him to do that? Am I giving him too much freedom? If I say no will he rebel? Is he making good choices? Is he mature enough for that? Can he handle it? AAAAHHHH!!!!! And so, I PRAY! I pray that he will remember what he has been taught and not depart from it. I pray that he will keep God’s word hidden in his heart so that he won’t sin against him. I pray that he will own his faith and desire to please God in all he does. I pray for him to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. I pray that I will trust God to fulfill his purpose in his life. I had to go through many trials in my own life that I know and believe God had and has a purpose for. As much as I want to shield my kids from their own trials, I know I can’t. I know God has a purpose for each of them. I have to trust that God will guide me as I seek to do the right thing for my kids.