What does a girl need when passing a milestone along her life’s journey? Women of God offer precious gifts when they pass on treasures of truth to younger women who follow in their footsteps. When meaningful markers arrive in the life of a girl, she is blessed to receive life gifts, instead of just more things to wear and admire. Such gems passed from women to girls are truly “gifts to embrace” as daughters of the King walk through life’s journey with Him.
The morning was cold, and the sky was electric blue. Thirteen days before, my daughter turned thirteen. She enjoyed a sleepover with friends, snacks, cake, and games. But before this turning point passed, becoming just another memory in her scrapbook, there was one more marker to be placed.
The table was set downstairs by a window looking out on the woods. There were no streamers, gift bags, or wrapping paper. With a lace tablecloth, sugar cubes, stemware and teacups, the transformation was complete. A red kerosene lamp glowed, giving off a scent of things long ago.
Guests arrived, showing by their demeanor why they were chosen. Having noticed, reached out to, spoken to, and nurtured my daughter, they were the kind of examples I wanted in her life. As my daughter stepped over this threshold, I invited them to continue speaking into her life through their lives and words. Coffee and tea flowed freely, and we devoured our brunch like the slumber party girls had days before. As the lamp began to smolder, treasured gifts began to be given.
A human resources manager, our first guest married later in life. Without children of her own, she had reached across our counter often to ask about school, share a book she loved, or include my daughter in conversation. Unwrapping the treasure of her wisdom, she gave a key ring with a heart attached. Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life,” she shared. Embrace the Purity God gave you. She shared how she came to know Christ as a teenager, saw the heartache of those who compromised, determined to remain pure, and was blessed as she married. Not only the physical purity, but purity in heart, kept her unhindered in embracing God’s best. God’s plan brings blessing out of obedience. His plan is what you can trust to bless you.
Our second guest was preparing to leave as a missionary to Europe. We watched her journey, how she was designed to reach people of Europe, developing a passion for missions, then trusting God to provide for her needs. From her experiences, she urged my thirteen year old to, “Embrace the Personality God gave you.” God delights in the woman He has created, because you are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” (Psalms 139:14). In fact, a woman is most beautiful when she enjoys how God made her. Whether facing a life change or facing the teenage years, she encouraged that His design is what you can trust to comfort you.
A new mom was our third guest. She modeled a joyful spirit playing on the soccer field and chatting on the sidelines, sharing her newborn and inviting the friendship of my daughter of the King. She recalled teenage feelings, the stirring of emotions in years marked by relationships and changes, searching for fulfillment. Yet, “God is the strength of my heart,” Psaslms 73:26, and she testified that we must, “Embrace the Emotions God created in you.” Teenage years are marked by instincts to fit in one week, wanting to be different the next. Don’t just be different, she encouraged, make a difference. Go “MAD” for Jesus; “Make a Difference for Jesus,” was her motto. His focus is what you can trust to fulfill you.
Our final guest shared from her heart. A graphic artist, this single friend often helps to lead congregational worship. Always taking a moment to notice my daughter, she had a comfortable flow of friendship with both generations of our family. Speaking from her creative spirit, this role model urged my daughter to, “Embrace the Purpose God made you for.” Though God has unique purposes for each woman, the world around us can cloud our pathway. When a woman weighs her options in life, we can seek wisdom from that which is a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” Psalms 119:105. His truth is what you can trust to guide you.
They had not coordinated their thoughts nor compared their gifts. Priceless truths were spoken to my listening daughter by other voices, role models and proven friends. Divinely gathered by our Father, they shared a priceless message at a pivotal moment in the life of one of the King’s daughters, my daughter. We plan for streamers and cake, but beautiful gifts await the daughters of the King when we make room for, plan for, and invite the women of God to unwrap and bestow the treasures of their journeys with Him.
*Scripture references are from the New King James Version
What a beautiful ‘gift’ to give your daughter – the gift of wisdom from women of God who have touched her over the years! My daughter will graduate from highschool this year and after reading this post, I’d love to borrow this idea and implement it before she leaves for college in the fall!! Thank you for this beautiful post!! God bless & happy Mother’s Day!
What a unique idea! This is a great “event” for every young girl to experience at some point in her life, before she strikes out on her own.
My daughter will be 13 this year. What a beautiful way to mark this very important milestone.
What an absolutely beautiful idea! I think every young woman and man should have a coming of age ceremony like this! I am going to copy this (hopefully) when my son turns 13.