20 Things I Want My 18 Year Old Son to Know

Some years ago, I sat to ponder my son's upcoming eighteenth birthday, my mind was flooded with memories from his childhood - the first time he swung a baseball bat, his first words, first steps, the first time he said, "I wub you."I could not believe that the last eighteen years had flown by, just as others swore they would. I wondered how I would mark this special occasion in his life. And so, alas, as a writer, what else would I do, but write? Here are the twenty tidbits of advice I offered my son and thought you may would, one day, appreciate these words for your own children:

1. Gratitude is attitude. Always thank God for your blessings. Complaining and gratitude can't co-exist.
2. Tithe. Whether you think it's outdated Old Testament law or not, you cannot out give God. Give freely, as He's so obviously done for you.
3. Practice good personal hygiene. Bad breath and dirty armpits are gross. A potential mater won't like it!
4. Clean up after yourself. You weren't raised in a barn and your roommates, dorm mates, and future spouse will appreciate your willingness to do so.
5. Pay your bills on time. Your credit will follow you everywhere.
6. Work hard. No excuses. Life owes you nothing. Work as unto the Lord in all you do. Perfection isn't the goal, but excellence and hard work is. Honor the Lord and your family by carrying on a legacy of hard work.
7. God's word is the only thing that won't fail you. Read it. Plant in it. Marinate on it. Let it be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. God speaks through his word. He'll guide you as you seek his face.
8. Be a man of high integrity. Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't steal. Don't manipulate.
9. Do not give up on church. You need it. They need you. Do not forsake the gathering together of Believers on a regular basis. There is power in the house of God. There is accountability there. There are life-giving relationships under that roof, so get up, even when you don't feel like it.
10. Profanity defiles your spirit. Watch what you feed your soul. Watch your mouth, your eyes, your social media, movies, books, magazines, podcasts, videos. It all matters.
11. Money won't make you happy. You can chase it. It'll counterfeit a substitution of happiness for a season, but when all is shaken, it won't remain. The only thing that remains is The Lord Jesus Christ. Fame, money, follows, power. It all falls.
12. There's no substitute for time with the Lord. It fills our soul. Pray without ceasing. Seek his face. You are never too busy to spend time with the Creator of heaven and earth. In fact, you cannot afford not to.
13. Sexual immorality has life-altering consequences. There is no other season that will so clearly affect the body. It too, offers counterfeit satisfaction for a moment, but constantly leaves you empty, when done out of God's order. It doesn't matter what the world says. It doesn't matter what culture says.
14. Be whole in Christ, before you search for a wife. She will never complete you. You can never complete her. There will be moments of exhaustion, frustration, and overwhelm in a marriage. Be whole in Him first.
15. Voting is a right and a duty. Participate. Don't disengage from freedoms that forefathers fought for you to have.
16. Look for ways to serve others. It's not all about you. Jesus washed his disciples' feet. He came not to be served, but to serve. Follow his example.
17. Take your time finding a life-mate. Marriage is forever. It is a covenant. It matters to God.
18. God is good. He loves you, won't leave you, and extends grace to his children. He is faithful, steadfast, and unchanging. He is dependable and strong. He is wisdom. He is peace. You can't make it without him.
19. Don't forget to call your mom. She loves you and she won't ever stop loving you. You won't ever outgrow her need to know you are okay and thriving. Make some time for her.
20. It's my greatest joy to call you "son". I love you.

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