Lord, the kid who used to crawl into our bed is now a person with opinions, headphones, and a door that closes.
Hold them while they figure out who they are.
Be in the group chats I cannot see. Be in the bedroom at two in the morning when something is bothering them and they will not say. Be in the friend who is going to disappoint them. Be in the friend who is going to save them.
Give me eyes for the version of them coming into focus, not just the version I am losing.
Keep them honest with themselves. Keep them curious. Keep them braver than I was at that age. And when they make the mistakes I know are coming, do not let the shame eat them.
I cannot keep them small. I can keep loving them in a way that holds, even when they are pushing against it.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.