How Did You Get To Be Eleven???

Dear Ane,

You are eleven years old today, and I’m not sure how that happened.

You are only six inches shorter than I am, seem to be all arms and legs, and now you have braces and pierced ears, and you listen to all sorts of music that I don’t.  And you watched Sesame Street just the other day and laughed at the sly grown-up joke hidden in a Cookie Monster sketch.  And just like that, you weren’t a little girl anymore.

So now, my dear daughter, now that we have established that you are growing up far too rapidly for everyone’s tastes, we need to talk about a certain word.  We can pretend we’re on Sesame Street and this is the “word of the day” segment.  In your case, we’ll make this the “word of the year.”

Your word is… wisdom.

We’ve talked about the difference between knowledge and wisdom before (thanks to the “What’s in the Bible?” DVD series), and while you possess many smarts in many areas (we still need to work on that math grade, though), you need to start practicing wisdom.

Ane, you are capable in so many areas.  But you don’t know everything yet.  Wisdom would tell you not to argue with Mom and Dad over the finer points of household rules, because 1) we make those rules, and 2) you are going to lose the argument anyway.  Wisdom will also tell you when interfering with your brothers is appropriate.  Taking dangerous implements that Thumper has pilfered from the kitchen is a wise move.  Picking fights with Tad over Xbox usage is not wise.  You get the idea.  I know you feel like we single you out to do so much more than the boys do.  And yes, we do.  There are reasons for that, and wisdom will tell you what those reasons are.  You are older and more capable.  The expectations that we have for you are reasonable for someone of your age and ability.  We base our expectations for all of you off your age and your ability.  Think about it.

With those responsibilities come bigger rewards.  There are many special things that only you get to do.  You know this, but it’s hard to remember that in the heat of the moment.  It’s probably also hard to remember that Mom and Dad are only human, too.  We will make mistakes, too, and hope that you will give us some grace.  After all, we’ve never raised a tweenage girl before.

Dad and I love you dearly.  We want what’s best for you, but we also want you to DO your best.  And your best needs to come from the best preparations possible.  Work wisely.  Focus on what is important in the here and now and prioritize.  The Xbox will still be there next weekend.

We love your kind heart, your friendly smile, your affectionate hugs, and how much you care about other people.  We are so very proud of you.

Happy birthday, big eleven year old girl!

Love,
Mom

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”  Proverbs 2:6-10

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 27th, 2014 at 12:30 am and is filed under Announcements, Children.
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