Being a teenager really stinks sometimes. No, I’m not a teen now but I sure had a tough time growing up. All I wanted was for someone to listen to me. I didn’t know the Lord and had no direction. I was from a divorced home and was only told what to do and how to do it, not why we do it. I had horrible grades and stinky friends. I had no confidence and chose horrible boyfriends.
When I was in high school, I had a friend Jeannette and her father was a pastor. She would spent alot of time with me in our home (what was wrong with this pastoral father?) They would never let me stay at their home because they were always so busy. Her parents started to not care for me because Jeannette started getting in trouble. She would lie to her parents about what she was doing and then they would think I was the problem and well, I probably was. Soon, Jeannette was no longer to be my friend. My heart was broken. What was wrong with me?
Here is the deal. If her parents would have invested in their daughter and her friends, I could have come to know the Lord sooner. I realize God’s plan was written for me but the point I am making is this…
Invest in a teen through your kids. Let them invite kids who don’t know the Lord into your home and church. Don’t push those kids away, just embrace them, listen to them and encourage them. Make the investment in them. Always use discernment and encourage your own teen to be a light on others.
Jeannette’s parents lost a chance to share the Gospel and lead a troubled teen to the Lord. What if that time in my life would have been the only time I would have heard the Gospel? I praise God that I know him and that I was blessed with life! You may be the only one that shares Jesus to a teen-I’d hate to see you miss that opportunity…you may be the only opportunity.
Comments posted