For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Just wait until they're teenagers...

If you have children, I'm sure you've heard that before. I know I've heard it countless times. Why do people say this?

Sometimes I think people say things because they are used to hearing those things themselves... all in the world, in pop culture, etc. . . In other words, I really don't think they mean any harm when they say it, it's just something "we say", know what I mean?

     Oh teenagers (sneer). . .just you wait until yours are that age. . .

Two of my children are teenagers; my oldest is seventeen and second child is fifteen. And, well. . .I'll just tell you the story that's on my heart, the story that led me to blog about this to begin with.

A few months ago, I was approached by the Board members of my local homeschool support group. Yes, it's funny, but my initial thought was, "Uh oh, did my kids do something wrong? Did I say something? Are we getting kicked out of the group?" 

To make a long story short (because if you're blessed to know me in real life, hehe, you know that I can really talk your ear off and that translates into my writing and brevity is not a strength I possess and, and. . . well, did I mention I was making a long story short?) 

So. . .to make a long story short, I was told that our High School Coordinator was "retiring" from her position. I was given the choice: either I could choose to be the Middle School Coordinator and our current MS Coordinator would take over the High School stuff, OR, I could be the new High School Coordinator. 

Of course I did not make this decision immediately, I knew I had to talk about this with my husband and my Heavenly Father. I needed to know how they felt about this. But one thing I knew was....it would definitely be High School I'd choose.

   Oh teenagers (sneer). . .just you wait until yours are that age. . .

I have to tell you something. Brace yourselves. You, like me, have probably heard a different characterization of teenagers all of your life. But. . .I think teenagers are pretty awesome people. Really, I do.

They are not perfect. Are we? 
They make incredibly stupid mistakes sometimes. Don't we?
They act like punks sometimes. Don't we?  (Ok, maybe you don't, but I do.)
Sometimes they feel rebellious and act out. Don't we? (Um yes, see above.)

Sometimes they feel the pressure that everyone puts on them and feels like everyone is scrutinizing them, just to see when, yes when, they will make their next mistake.

Wow.

I don't know about you, but as a Christian, I have felt that way before. Like everyone is waiting to pounce on me for something or other.

Sometimes they wish someone, anyone, would just tell them what to do so they don't have to make such a huge, important decision about something or other. . .I have felt that way.

Other times they just wish everyone would shut up and stop acting like they are incapable of making decisions and let them make their own decisions. Yep, I have felt that way, too.

Really, are we that different? 

I know what some of you are thinking. Let me agree right now. We get wiser with age. Um, usually. We get wiser with some life experience under our belts. Yes, yes, I agree. There are many great lessons teenagers can learn from us. We have been there, really we have. Chances are, we have felt like you feel, really we have. 

But I think people forget what it used to be like.
 To be a teenager. 

So I knew I definitely wanted to be the High School Coordinator, because I really enjoy the teen years. Yes, there's drama. Yes, there's heartache. Yes, there is frustration. Yes, there are times when you really, and I mean really, want to smack them upside the head.  Yes, there are times when you giggle and think, "When they're older, they'll understand. . ." but remember. . .do you remember. . .when we were like that? I sure do.

As all the words of this blog post were swirling around in my head while I was outside watching my youngest in the pool, I started to tear up. Last night, I took some teens to the bowling alley. What fun! How fun it is to look at these kids and see such promise, such potential. To see the future. Each is unique and has different personalities, but they all made me smile and laugh. 

But I also know they are coming to the point of feeling the weight of the future on their shoulders. Some are graduating and know what they want to be "when they grow up". Others still struggle with thoughts of, "I'm not gonna be a kid anymore. How will I get a good job? How will I ever be able to buy a house?" Really, can you imagine? Do you remember those feelings? Those emotions? That uncertainty? 

So I drive these kids around, taking them to fun places because I know there will come a time when I won't be able to do that anymore. Well, unless I hire myself out as an old granny who drives strange teens around but that would be a bit weird. Even for me. There will come a time when these kids are out in the big world, getting married, having families of their own, contributing to society, living life. . .And when people tell them:

  Oh teenagers (sneer). . .just you wait until yours are that age. . .

I hope I'm around. So I can tell them, "Yeah, you just wait. Because if you have the right attitude, it's gonna be so much fun!"

For His glory alone,
genesis









Monday, April 8, 2013

Have you forgotten from where you came?

I think sometimes we, as Christians, can truly forget we have not always been a Christian. No one is born a Christian. Born in a Christian home, maybe, but not born a Christian.

I think, because I was not born or raised in a Christian home, I have a different perspective. Or perhaps it has nothing to do with my past at all and it's just the way the good Lord made me. I don't know everything, LOL!

Anyway, I heard a story in church this past Sunday that truly made me cringe. Our pastor was talking about how, when some people get saved, it's the very people who should be rejoicing (fellow Christians) who are the ones acting mad. Can you believe it?! He gave the example of a man who surrendered his life to Christ and started bringing people to church with him. The church-goers were not happy about this. Why? Because the newcomers were bikers, possible ex-drug users. You know....those people.

It's funny how people like to classify sin as if the sins of others are always worse than our own sins. Really people? Have you forgotten from where you came? Because my Bible says ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Um, that word ALL includes you and me. Yep. We came short of God's glory. We didn't measure up. We might not be rough and tough bikers, or street-smart prostitutes in miniskirts with our junk hanging out, or meth addicts stealing to support our habit....but our sin separated US from the Father just the same.

May we remember that when a tattooed biker from the baddest biker gang comes in to church. If he has repented, God has forgiven him the same way He forgave me and you, friends. 

May we remember that when a new lady comes to church in a dress we think is too short, too tight, too sexy. Of course there's a proper way to dress and we don't want to encourage that, but how do we know that's not the best dress she owns? Hey, we might be glad she chose that dress and not one of her others, LOL! And usually we aren't mad that she's not dressed holy enough, we're paranoid that our husbands might be checking her out. I say the blood of Jesus was certainly enough to cover her sins, too, don't you think? Who cares that just last week she was working on the street corner. Go up and give that lady a big smile and a warm hug. We let people know by our actions that we are super glad to have her visit our church and let her know the Holy Spirit comes to our church, too. Let these people SEE Jesus in US so they will want to return to our church. We show them this by showing them He has changed us, not into Christians who go to church every Sunday, but PEOPLE who love others. People who REJOICE when we get a new brother and sister in the Lord.

NO ONE is beyond redemption because they used to be this or used to be that. We, my friends, were once sinners, too, separated from God due to our exceedingly sinful selves. Praise His holy name, Christ crucified and resurrected saved my sins, your sins and the sins of those kind of people...who ever those kind of people may be. May we rejoice when we hear that the devil will have one less soul with him in hell. Hallelujah!

For His glory alone!
genesis

Sunday, April 7, 2013

God uses those of all ages

We all know that I Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,in faith, in purity."

This verse is generally used to encourage young people to be bold for Christ and to be an example. It's a good verse to encourage teenagers to be a witness for Christ despite their youth.

However, a recent "real life thing" made me realize this verse can apply in other situations where there is quite an age gap between two (or more) Believers. There might come a time when a younger person has wisdom to share with an older person. It would be a normal reaction for the older person to be quite prideful of this little whippersnapper who thinks he or she knows everything. What do you do when someone much younger rebukes you or comes alongside you and says, "Look, I see you are struggling with this sin. I'd like you to know I'm praying for you and I'd like to help you if you'll let me."

You could let Mr. Pride rear his ugly head....

"Who do you think you are?"
 "You are younger than me by a good twenty years."
   "I've been on this planet a lot longer than you have."
    "Respect your elders!"

Or you could think of our amazing, all-powerful God who uses people of all ages to help us in our walk, our journey of faith. The Lord loves a humble, teachable spirit. Sometimes age does not equal spiritual maturity. May we let our brothers and sisters in Christ help us along our journey no matter their age!


For His glory alone,
genesis