This weekend I had the privilege of leading a group of high school girls in a breakout at our You and Your Girl event in Katy, TX. I had a little time at the end of my breakout (which didn't go great, to be quite honest), so I opened the floor for questions. I had the girls write their questions on a note card to protect their privacy (and to keep the conversation within boundaries). I told them, "I've ever experienced or heard about most of the stuff you are facing, so nothing you say will surprise me." Ok. So I lied.
Want to hear some of their questions? If you have a tender heart, get a Kleenex.
I wish someone would tell me why my mom had to die when I'm only 14.
How can God help me stop fighting with my parents and how can my mom and I get my dad to church?
My friend is a strong Christian and was going through some things before he was saved. (I'm thinking this is more than a friend.) He started doing ecstacy and cocaine got help but it isn't working. What can I do?
I've been raped, but how do I really let go and forgive him? (this one kicked me in the gut!)
I'm struggling with boys. I have never had a boyfriend, but I know that God has one for me. I just sometimes think no one loves me. (oh, sweetie, don't believe that lie!)
Is becoming or wanting to become an actress a sin?
And the summary of all of them: How do you guard your heart after you've been hurt?
I know I wasn't supposed to be surprised, but I was. I was surprised at the sheer number of needs in a room of 100 girls. I was surprised by their willingness to be honest and transparent with me. (One girl talked openly about why she cuts herself.) I was surprised at how many of them have no connection with their parents but desperately want one. I was surprised most of all by the hope that these girls still maintain after all they've been through...the major abuses, the questions, the theft of their innocence, the assault on their hearts.
And I'm thinking to myself, thank you, God, for men and women who are willing to step into that mess and show them where God is in the midst of it all. Thank you for girls' discipleship leaders who get phone calls in the middle of the night. Youth ministers who counsel moms in desperate need. Older women who will step outside of their comfort zones to teach a girl how to walk with God.
If someone hasn't told you lately... thank you for your ministry and your investment. It matters. Never, never, doubt that. Ever.
Want to hear some of their questions? If you have a tender heart, get a Kleenex.
I wish someone would tell me why my mom had to die when I'm only 14.
How can God help me stop fighting with my parents and how can my mom and I get my dad to church?
My friend is a strong Christian and was going through some things before he was saved. (I'm thinking this is more than a friend.) He started doing ecstacy and cocaine got help but it isn't working. What can I do?
I've been raped, but how do I really let go and forgive him? (this one kicked me in the gut!)
I'm struggling with boys. I have never had a boyfriend, but I know that God has one for me. I just sometimes think no one loves me. (oh, sweetie, don't believe that lie!)
Is becoming or wanting to become an actress a sin?
And the summary of all of them: How do you guard your heart after you've been hurt?
I know I wasn't supposed to be surprised, but I was. I was surprised at the sheer number of needs in a room of 100 girls. I was surprised by their willingness to be honest and transparent with me. (One girl talked openly about why she cuts herself.) I was surprised at how many of them have no connection with their parents but desperately want one. I was surprised most of all by the hope that these girls still maintain after all they've been through...the major abuses, the questions, the theft of their innocence, the assault on their hearts.
And I'm thinking to myself, thank you, God, for men and women who are willing to step into that mess and show them where God is in the midst of it all. Thank you for girls' discipleship leaders who get phone calls in the middle of the night. Youth ministers who counsel moms in desperate need. Older women who will step outside of their comfort zones to teach a girl how to walk with God.
If someone hasn't told you lately... thank you for your ministry and your investment. It matters. Never, never, doubt that. Ever.
This is the first time I have seen this section on lifeway. I teach Sunday school for the teens, and boy oh boy, sometimes you feel like you're on a sinking boat and the waves ar lapping around your ankles. I am pleased to say, your site is a "God" send. Thanks for offering to assist us with the situations that all teens are subjected to today.
the point is never if we are shocked, you hold your breath, ask the Holy Spirit to give you words, scripture, anything and then when it is all over you go somewhere and cry it out. That is why we are in girls ministry and others are not. We have to be willing to fight through the tough questions and be honest when we don't have the answers. All too often I have to look a girl in the eye and apologize for adults who have failed her and tell her that the God who loves her will NEVER fail her. That is all I can do.