Today I saw one of my "kids" from years ago when I served as her youth pastor. I am good friends with her father, whom I appreciate and admire. After congratulating her on her recent marriage to her "perfect" match (she was all aglow), I asked how her father was doing. Eagerly she gave her report. I could tell by her expressions and mannerisms that she shared my admiration and respect for her father. She showed almost as much joy and enthusiasm for our discussion of him as she expressed in talking about her new husband.

I took the opportunity to reflect on how gifted and wise my mentor and her father was. She paused and said with a twinkle in her eye, "You know, it's amazing how much wiser he is now than he was when I was 16."

To be a partner with God in raising teenagers means that I accept the cross of not being appreciated or understood at certain stages in their lives. It means that I will continue to patiently love and live with passion and integrity, whether or not my good will is accepted or reciprocated. Learning to love them as He loves me—that's what partnership with God in parenting is all about.

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Conference communication director.