My daughter Kaylee often tells me I'm weird. I just laugh. That's just a family trait, one that she has as well.One of Kaylee's hobbies is to study people's reactions. In fact, many of our outings could be seen as sociological experiments. She enjoys entering stores or other public places wearing her hillbilly teeth. As part of the fun, my role is to walk 20 feet behind her so I can give her the report about the reactions she receives from people after they've passed her. Recently, she asked me to take her to the hardware store to buy an ax, duct tape, bleach, rope, and a shovel—just so she can see the clerk's response. No, I haven't done it (yet).
As you can see, I have no cookie cutter teenage daughter. At her age, she's supposed to be learning from me that what other people think doesn't matter, but she already knows this. She has convictions that run deeper than some adults' I know, convictions that she will need to grow into (but I'm thankful she has them). Instead, I think I need to teach her how to remain confident even when she fails. I need to teach her to love unconditionally and to find that hope even when the outlook is bleak. I need to teach her about offering and accepting forgiveness and about finding peace.At 15 3/4, Kaylee is ready to start thinking about her future. She's waiting to learn her calling. I have no idea where God will take her, but I know it will be one where she can make a difference, weirdness and all.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).