Dear Middle School Daughter,

Dearest Child of Mine,

I see you.  I see the way you're working hard in all your classes and earning A's.  I see the effort you're putting into math but the struggle is real.  I know.  I was the same way, that's why I taught English.

My sweet sixth grader, I look at you in your standard uniform, shorts and shirt, totally oblivious to the kind of fashion that means fitting in. You are comfortable in your own skin, and truth be told--that was foreign to me at your age.

You exude a confidence in your God-given talents; your voice and theater presence.  I think you shine so bright because you do it for Him. You already know where your gifts come from and you live a life of gratitude.

I hear how you invite your friends to the Christians in Action meetings at school.  And don't think I don't notice their faces before they politely reply, "it's not their thing."  And you don't miss a beat. . .you just tell them what you like about it and don't let their no silence you. And you keep extending invitations--to other people you meet, and daughter dearest, that makes my mama heart so incredibly happy.  Because you're only eleven and you already get one of the biggest truths of life: everything we do, we do it for Him.  We do it to be His hands and feet, to spread His love. . .and you already get it. I can't wait to see how He is going to continue to use you in this lifetime!

My little angel girl, you look at the developmentally handicapped kids at your school and see beauty.  You used to sit with them more regularly before you started going to math tutoring. . .but you call them by name. You let them know you see them and they are loved.  Talk about shining His light!  I promise we will be cheering at the Special Olympics this year if we can't volunteer.  I will do what I can to develop this gift God has given you in working with these special ones.

Middle school is a breeding ground for cruelty, teasing, and bullying.  Thank you for knowing who you are and being one hundred percent okay with that.  As some of your friends have gone the way of popularity for now, know that it's not about your heart, or who you really are.  It's about who they are.  And they might not be as confident and secure like you are. . .and you just keep loving them anyway.  They may come back around.  And if they don't, just know your mama is praying all day every day, that God gifts you that person who loves you, who gets you, who will be your BFF for life.  And she will be revealed eventually, love.

As far as Social Media goes, I get that is what these young people do. . .how they communicate.  I do.  But please know that you must be 13-years-old according to their policies.  Neither you nor your friends is thirteen yet.  End of story.  And just to be clear, thirteen is not necessarily the magic age where it's going to happen for you either.  We will discuss it when the time comes.  For now, be blessed with not knowing. Their status' and bios change like they change their underwear: daily ( I hope)!  You don't have to see what everyone else is doing all of the time, and chances are you might not be able to do it anyways.  You know how we are.  We are your parents and we love you but with that comes great responsibility to protect you and not expose you to too much before you're ready. So we are doing the best we can. . .so Social Media is a no.  Not yet.

Daughter dearest, let us keep pouring into you.  Let us saturate you with family time and memories that will make you remember how it was so good to be a kid.  Let us love you. Let us encourage you.  Let us inspire you to be the best you--you can be.  Right now, I have so much admiration for who you are and what you are about.  Keep shining His light and be who He created you to be.

All my love always,
Mom