Living Hope Support Groups held a Diabetes Awareness 5k Walk this weekend. I rallied our youth, arranged transportation and got us all movin' together! These youth need unifying outings, they need to hangout with adults that are walking the Faith, and these outings serve as great ways of finding out about their lives and connecting on a deeper level with them.
As I walked with two of our older girls (one in 12th grade, one in 11th grade), I heard them talking about relationships and difficulties going on in the community. I asked them, "Do you want to get married?" They emphatically said, "No!" I inquired as to why they held such strong, negative opinions about marriage, and they began to speak about how they see their families disfunction and they don't want those struggles in their lives. Both of these girls have 'daddy-issues.' They have hard backgrounds, and I understand why they feel so strongly about not getting married. We discussed the fact that Paul says in the New Testament that it's better to stay single if you can so that you won't have distractions and can focus on God. I countered that thought and reminded them that marriage was created by God and it's a picture of the church - how we are to serve each other and minister together for God's glory. I was amazed at how these two young girls have such wounds and hurt from their life-experience, and they're using those wounds to be firm in thought about how they want to live their own lives. I'm seeing how this youth-generation wants change. They want to be respected and I believe they will change the hurt through their dependance upon Christ. Imagine if all the youth of your city rose up for what's right and changed generational patterns so that they live family-life the way God designed. That would be amazing!
Conversations like I had today are shedding light on the hurt and reminding me that one changed-life or changed-perception is success! Just imagine those theological, life-altering conversations going on through winded breath as we walked in 90 degree sun-scorching heat. The 5k was great!
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