I saw myself reflected so vividly in one of my teens the other night that it scared me. She came in with swollen eyes and the story of how she had been dumped and how all was lost. Then when someone else entered the room, everything changed. It was so subtle that I don't even think she noticed it.
the thing is, she is so smart; aces every class and has dreams of becoming attending med school, and she has great friends. her family life is stable and she is capable of healthy relationships, not shying away from conflict b/c it might be easier to not face the problem. but she goes from boyfriend to boyfriend, none of which are good enough for her, finding her value in those relationships only to be crushed upon revelation that it was not ever meant to last.
was i just like this as a teenager? "looking for love in all the wrong places?" searching for completion, self-worth in people rather than in the one who is able to make us whole?
there is something about the way we teach sexuality, and the way our kids are hearing it. it's a part of everyday life. maybe we don't talk about it as much as the culture, so they listen to the culture b/c they are the ones addressing it.
at the heart of it all is a search for love.. a conquest where we meet and experience new things with the wrong individuals. are we even pointing teens toward their heart's desire?
Jesus, at this moment, is everything your heart is searching for. He is love, he is wholeness, he is completion, he is healing, he is comfort, he is solace, he is peace.
The search is over! You have found Him, or maybe he has found you.
posted by Kelly @ 8:03:00 AM
5 Comments:
Switchfoot addresses the subject of sex on their new c.d. and they hit the truth of that part of todays culture so well in their lyrics: "sex is easier than love, it's easier than life, it's easier to fake and smile and bribe, it's easier to leave, it's easier to lie, it's harder to face ourselves at night, feeling alone, what have we done, what is this monster we've become, where is my soul?" true?- debby
loved your last paragraphs on this.. beautiful wrap-up to an all-too common issue among our teen friends..
"Jesus, at this moment, is everything your heart is searching for. He is love, he is wholeness, he is completion, he is healing, he is comfort, he is solace, he is peace."
Wow! Now if only I could get my head and my heart to believe it.
-Elizabeth-
Thanks, Kelly.
wow, kelly. i sit here wondering if someone had talked to me as a teenager, using the words you did, if i would have made different choices....been spared some heartache. not losing parts of myself in unlasting relationships, or constantly giving my heart away to people who didn't deserve it.....and more importantly, not seeking that wholeness, completion, peace in the only One who could ever complete or fulfill me.
God has placed you there, allowed you to gain the trust of these teens, and is opening your mind and heart to his truths....to share with them and to enlarge your own understanding. and that is an amazing place to be.
it was good to see you guys last weekend....sorry i was so exhausted and couldn't hold much of a conversation. and thanks for being a good sport... :-)
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