Ecclesiastes 3:11 (a) — He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Dear One, nobody tells you how fast it happens.

One day you’re wiping peanut butter off a tiny face, and the next she’s sitting across from you at breakfast—taller than she has any right to be.

That little girl with the dark, curly hair and those almond eyes that could undo your whole day with one smile? She’s sixteen now. Her words come quick, her opinions quicker, and Lord help us all if she’s decided you’re wrong.

One day you’re catching fireflies, and the next you’re hearing about the latest TikTok dances.

And you miss her. The small version of her. The one whose knees still fit under your chin when you hugged her tight.

You catch yourself trying to remember the last time you played on the swing set together. The last bedtime story. But the truth is, you didn’t mark the date—because you didn’t know it was the last.

For a while, you grieve the change. You tell yourself the sweetest days have passed.

But I’ve discovered something. God always has a way of trading one kind of good for another. And do you know what one of the best gifts of these teenage years is?

It’s the front seat.

The booster seat is gone, and she’s buckling herself in beside you. You drive her everywhere now—practice, youth group, late-night Chick-fil-A runs.

She fiddles with the radio, eats all your gum, and tells you about a funny meme or the kid who wore pajamas to math class. Sometimes she laughs so hard she can’t finish her sentence. Sometimes a good song comes on, and you both belt it out at the top of your lungs.

And every now and then, when I make her laugh, I see the same spark in those eyes I’ve loved since day one.

No, it’s not the swing set anymore, but it’s so good.

And I’m convinced—that’s the Lord.

Each season might feel like a goodbye, but He tucks goodness right into the middle of what’s next. You just have to climb in, buckle up, and let Him show you the upgrade.