For The Girl…Who Needs Encouragement

Social Media is becoming so ingrained in today’s culture.  It’s almost impossible to have a discussion with someone without either mentioning something found out on facebook or twitter, or without first knowing some fact from the web.  This is why we at Blue try to be up-to-date on the social networks.  This may seem to have nothing to do with the title, but hang with me.

I had a phone call today from one of the moms of our youth.  She was calling to tell me that another girl’s mom was in the hospital because of surgery and experiencing some difficulty with the surgery.  It seems pretty serious. I knew that this mom was having surgery, but had thought it was going well (because I saw posts on social media, of course).  With this sad news, I was concerned for both our girls and the mom.

I checked Instagram earlier this evening, and was so encouraged to see what kinds of conversation (if it can be called that on instagram) were occurring between our eighth grade girls.  This girl had posted that her mom was not doing well, and as I read the comments my heart was happy.  All the posts were from girls in our youth group, her small group, and were discussions of how they had been praying for this girl’s mom.

Just when I think that sometimes we’re not getting through to some girls, I know that the Holy Spirit is at work.  I know that we are surrounded by peers from church that are willing to pray for our hurts and encourage one another.

Life is hard.  There are so many good things that happen in life, but often sad things happen.  Our mom’s get sick; dad’s work late and sometimes leave; friends are flaky and change plans for better options; people are mean at school; life seems overwhelming when we try to balance school and sports; expectations sometimes put too much pressure on us; we don’t fit in with the people we’re around; we are forced to move and change our world;  life happens.

But be encouraged.  God is good; He is overly gracious; He puts people in our life in His timing that will walk with us; the flowers still bloom each spring; the sun still rises in the East every morning; God is faithful and saves; laughter heals heart-wounds; and sometimes people really are nice.

So as I sit here in Starbucks and enjoy a warm latte, waiting for fall to fully arrive, I want to encourage you. You can get up each morning; you can enjoy a full life; you can find little things to be thankful for.  God will carry you through the tough times.  Know that there are people praying for you, and are here for you through physical hurts, and emotional hurts.

You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing;
You stripped off my dark clothing

and covered me with joyful light.

You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs!

It’s impossible to keep quiet!

Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.

       Psalm 30.11-12