God Will See You Through These Teenage Years

To my son,

Today you came home upset. You didn’t want to talk about it, so I gave you a few minutes. Experience has taught me not to force it, so I asked very general questions once I was done giving you time, and instead of withholding, you shared what happened. I had to work extra hard not to get upset too, I was already wearing my mama bear hoodie.

Much to your dismay, I took you to the library. I told you lying there wouldn’t help anything. I wouldn’t let you skip karate either. I told you that sometimes when I’m upset, I feel better when I do something active.

I had you skip an afternoon of chores, homework, and mindless YouTube time to watch a show with me after the library. And after karate instead of rushing through the night, I slowed down. When you asked for cookie in a mug, we made it together and then played a game of Chinese Checkers with your brothers. I made sure we prayed together before we said goodnight. Through the hurt, we found an abundance of blessings. At least I did.

You are my third teenager (fourth if I count my own teenage years) and this is what I know . . .

Being a teenager is hard. Life is confusing, everyone is growing and changing. It can be really intense.

Some people just suck. Plain and simple.

Not everyone is your friend. Not everyone has your back. Be the friend you want to have.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” quote by Joe from The Princess Diaries, originally from Eleanor Roosevelt.

Hurt people hurt people—kids (and adults) are rarely mean for no reason at all, there is usually something deeper happening.

God is bigger. He is bigger than your biggest bully. He loves you, goes before you, fights for you. You need only be still. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still” (Exodus 14:14).

I probably know a little more than that, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is love and kindness, and you are great at both of those. Anyone who doesn’t see that is missing out on having a great friend. So, be strong, don’t let anyone get in your head or make you feel inferior.

Most importantly, let’s pray for them. Pray for them to realize they are wrong. Pray for them to stop being bullies. Pray for them to be kind. Pray for their healing because they must be hurting in some way. Pray for them to see the light of Jesus that shines through you. Pray also for your own strength. I’m praying that for you too. I’m praying that no person would stop you from being just who God made you to be because you are amazing, and I would choose you as my friend any day.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Order Now!

being a teenager growing up mom life Motherhood my son parenting raising teens sons teen boy teen son teenage teenage years teenagers teens

Cari Resnick

I am a wife to my firefighter husband and mom to three growing boys (two teens and a tween), one rescue pup, and two rescue cats. I’ve wanted to be a writer since the third grade. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, blogging, card making, running, hiking, walking, cooking, going to the dog park, and spending time with my family and friends. I have published two books, Loving You, A Journey Through Forever, co-authored with my sister, and a collection of Poetry titled, The Lord is Good, Poetry, Prayers, and Reflections. I also have stories and poetry in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Just for Teenagers, Mother’s of Angels, Mother’s of Angels Two, In Celebration of Sisters, and Soaring High. You can find me at lifeasafirewife.com or on Instagram at cari.resnick07.