Thoughts on Sweet Sixteen

In less than a month, I will be sixteen. Sweet sixteen, as it is called. My birthday is July 5th, and I'll be dancing away at dance camp when it comes. (By the way, my newly-found "twin" Jennifer will also be 16 on July 5th!)

It's amazing to me that I am already almost there. For years 16 has been the "oh wow!" age when I would be mostly grown. Now, I am almost there! I'll get to drive, and with that will have more freedom to go places, which will be fun... and at times scary!

It doesn't feel the way I thought it would feel to almost reach this milestone. In fact, sometimes I still feel like a little girl. But other times I feel I could easily be older than 16! Yes, feelings are weird things! :-) I know that many of you, who are a lot older than I must be suppressing a smile, but to me 16 is quite "so grown up!" :-)

As I contemplate Sweet Sixteen, I don' get images of being grown up and free to do whatever I feel like. It might be nice, but I, in this year ahead, want to be truly sweet. I want to be a true young lady of sweet disposition and gentle character. I want to be sweet and loving to all I come across, and not be aloof and withdrawn. I want to be sweet and loving to my family serving them with my time, instead of trying to get them to accommodate my wants and needs. I want to be sweet and loving to my friends, "spurring them on to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24) instead of gossiping or using them for my selfish gain. I want to present to the world a sweet young lady following hard after God, instead of being like the stereotypical 16 year old girl of today, concerned with only shopping, boyfriends, and having a good time. "For charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

I know that it won't be easy, but "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

I'll also finally look my age! :-) Us Lofgren girls seem to look to everyone else as 16 years old, from the time we're 12 to the time we're 24, so for a year people might actually be able to tell how old I am, but then I'll start looking younger...

So it is my prayer that in this next year of getting a little older, I shall get even sweeter and truly live out the verses of Proverbs 31:10-31, so that one day I shall have noble character and be worth far more than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:22

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12