13th Birthday- 13 Presents!

My niece is turning thirteen years old this month and I think it's a pretty substantial birthday. I know we celebrate the sweet sixteen, the 18th and the 21st, but becoming a teenager is pinnacle too. So, with that, I wanted to give her a gift that would not only encourage her spiritually, but also one that she would remember.

 I came up with giving her 13 presents.

Not just any 13 presents, but 13 gifts that had a spiritual lesson

 or scripture verse attached to each.

Now, to think of thirteen things!!!

I first thought of my favorite scriptures and tried to think of some gift  that would go with each Scripture. The following is the list of the thirteen items and scriptures I used for her.The gifts are more about the scripture and the lesson than it is about the actual present.

 I wrote out each scripture onto a card and attached it to the wrapped gift.

I hope you might be encouraged to do it for some young person in your life. 

 

The presents all wrapped up.

1) The first of the 13 gifts is a planter. I wanted to put all the gifts into a basket of some sort, but then remembered the scripture of how God is the potter and we are the clay. I thought how perfect it would be if I could find a container made of clay...I couldn't. So, I found a planter. I put all the gifts inside of it.

 

The Scripture I used was:  Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

    We are the clay, you are the potter;
    we are all the work of your hand."

We are clay in the hands of God. He will mold us and form us into His image, if we allow Him. The molding make take years or may be tough going if we resist. But our God is gentle and patient. His work yields beauty in us.
 

2) The second gift is a devotional. I thought to get her a Bible, but knew she already had one. What gift is better than a devotional when trying help a young teenager to follow after God daily?   

The Scripture I used is found in Luke 11:28  (NIV)

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

(This devotional is from the movie, The Bible, that appeared on the History Channel). 

The following gifts are not given in any particular order. 

3) With this gift I thought about when we are loving the Lord and are filled with His joy how much we smile. I know when I see people who truly have the love of Jesus in them they are shining His love and joy where ever they go. I thought...'Smiling'--teeth--toothpaste! 

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16  (NIV)

4) I wanted to encourage her to stay pure and clean for God. The gift was easy- body wash. 

The scripture I used comes from Hebrews 10:22-23 (NIV) "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

(Yes, it is to be clean and pure in our hearts, not body, before God, but I thought each day that she uses the body wash it could remind her to stay pure before the Lord in her heart).

5) My niece is very talented. She can sing, play the violin, sew and do endless amounts of crafts. I thought this next gift could remind her that she is a part of the body of Christ and her gifts are from God. I wanted to encourage her to use her gifts for God and the body.

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:4-5).

6) One thing that I wanted to remind her or encourage her about is having a teachable heart. So many times, throughout my life, I was either to insecure (prideful) to listen to a word of correction. Sometimes I was too afraid of change and wouldn't allow myself to be taught. Having a teachable heart is so important. God has placed certain people in our lives that He wants to use for our good. My heart is to encourage her to be teachable all throughout her life, so, I bought her a chalk board. 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 (NIV)

7) This next gift I actually thought of first. An eraser. My niece has just begun her life- she is going to make mistakes. The important thing to remember is that Christ died for us and has taken our sins away-we need only confess our sin and we are forgiven. I want her to know that in Christ there are no regrets. I want her to remember to not allow her past sin to hold her back from moving forward with God. 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9  (NIV)

8) I just had to put candy in the mix- but how to bring it together with Scripture?  I thought about being 'sweet' for Jesus, but then I was reminded of the following Scripture:

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

 

Teenagers can use their words to hurt others. I want to encourage my niece to use her words to build others up. To have 'sweet' words for all. 
 

9)  I know when I was a teenager and first came to Christ how this Scripture touched my heart.

Luke 12:27-32 (NIV)

²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 

The present is a bouquet of flowers.

 

I had soooo many worries as a teenagers and I believe many teens do today as well. This scripture is to remind her that she is worth more than these flowers to God. She can rest in Him and know that He will take care of her.

10)  This gift goes along with number 7- the eraser. I love how God not only takes our sin away, but that He makes us whiter than snow. He cleanses us from our sin.  I had to do something with this Scripture:

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

I gift was 'white out.'

Cross references:

1. Luke 12:27 : 1Ki 10:4-7
2. Luke 12:28 : S Mt 6:30
3. Luke 12:30 : S Lk 6:36
4. Luke 12:30 : Mt 6:8
5. Luke 12:31 : S Mt 3:2
6. Luke 12:31 : Mt 19:29
7. Luke 12:32 : S Mt 14:27
8. Luke 12:32 : S Mt 25:34

11)  Now that she is 13 years old I didn't want her to forget how wonderful it is to be a child. I wanted to remind her to never grow up spiritually. To love God with innocence. To receive His love without question. To play and laugh as a child trusting in the one who made her. 

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:15-16 (NIV)

I bought her bubbles. 

12)  Teenage years can be a very dark time, so could other times in our lives. I wanted her to remember that Jesus is the light of the whole world. If we keep our eyes on Him things won't look dark- for where He is there is no darkness.  I bought her a candle.

The scripture I used was:

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (John 8:12 (NIV)

13) And my last gift was a pair of sandals that she really wanted. I tied it in with the following scripture:

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

What good is it if we know all these things and have the love and joy of God in our hearts and yet don't give it away? I want to encourage her to step out in faith and share the love of Jesus with the world. Her feet are beautiful because they bring good news. 

So, my precious niece, I love you so very much and pray that you will be blessed by all your little presents and the scriptures. I want to encourage to be a woman after God's heart. To love Him more than anything in this world. To follow Him with such perseverance that the enemy can never catch up to you! 
Be blessed sweet girl. You are in our prayers as you walk out your faith. We are always here for you.
love, 
Aunt Ellie.

If you like this article, you will LOVE the article I wrote for my daughter's 13th birthday:
13 Presents-13th Birthday for My Daughter