I did it again. I opened my mouth. Words came out. You would think I would learn, but no, I keep doing it.
Let me back up a bit.
Last night Shane and his second-in-command Brian had what they call, “Trash Talk.” They take questions written down by the students, throw them in a {clean} trash can, and then randomly pull them out and answer them, right there on the spot. Some of them are funny, with one of them being a tall joke pointed at Shane.
But there was another one. A question about sexual sin.
The boys were fumbling and I could tell these students were about to hear a “church answer.” You know the ones. Something stirred within me, and I raised my hand and said, “I have an answer.”
With permission to proceed from Shane and an inside joke muttered by Brian about stepping on toes {who, me???}, I gave them my answer.
I’ll be honest, I can’t remember the exact words I said. I just said what I felt they needed to hear. That we all mess up. That messing up doesn’t make us bad people. That we should flee from sexual sin. That if you are in it now, STOP. That stopping can be easier said than done.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt like I should not have said anything, that I should have left it to Shane and Brian. After church, I had to pick up Cam from my parent’s house, so I called Shane to apologize for saying anything. Much to my surprise, he, Brian, and Brian’s fiancée had already been discussing my – ahem – voiced opinion, but in a good way, all of them agreeing that it was exactly what the kids needed to hear. I wasn’t so sure, but left it at that. Shane and I discussed it again later, and he let me know he was glad I said what I did, because he didn’t have that.
Now.
This is not about my bragging on myself… this is not about me. More often than not, I stumble over my words, don’t make sense, make too much sense and go over their heads, or I’m simply indifferent. My heart has been hurt in the past over this youth ministry thing, and I have truly wanted to be done. But something keeps pulling me back in. Last night, as I looked into the eyes of those kids looking back at me, I could have lost it.
And this isn’t some Dear-Boy-Over-There-You’d-Better-Treat-My-Girls-Right-Or-I’ll-Box-You posts, either. There are enough of those out there. This is strictly for the girls {boys, hang on until next week}. I have three, you know. I hope they hear this with all their hearts.
Girls. Ladies. Young women.
Too often, you are told you have to look a certain way, act a certain way, be a certain way. Whether it’s other girls {or guys} at school, parents {or the lack thereof}, adults, celebrities, the crazy-skewed-out-for-themselves media, or your own bathroom mirror, you are hearing it from all directions.
If I could tattoo the word, “Priceless” on your forehead backward so you would see it every time you looked in the mirror, I would.
Because that’s what you are. Priceless.
You have been bought and paid for. And you were made for so much more than this.
Yes, that is hard to think about and imagine. A God that loves you as His own? You are His, and He is your Dad. Or maybe that word is painful for you, “Dad.” Call Him Papa, Daddy, Abba Father, whatever you need to. You are His little girl, and no one can take that from you.
You are worthy. Worthy of love: real love, true love, honest love. The kind of love that can only come from the One who loves you most.
Don’t let this world own you. Don’t let this world tell who you should be.
You are His. And you are free. You are priceless.
photo credit: Camdiluv ♥ via photopin cc
Amy @ Finer Things says
SO well said, and something every teenager needs to hear. Often.
Well done!
Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog post ..Yes. Do that.
Amy Norton says
Thanks, friend! <3
Jennifer @ The Simple Pen says
Yes. And amen. Going to share this with some young ladies.
Amy Norton says
<3
Dixie Butler says
The thing is Amy, sometimes these kids don’t need the church answer. I’m trying so hard to convince mine that she is still a child of God and would be welcome at church. 🙁 And this is a girl who grew up in church so I can only imagine trying to convince a non-believer of this concept.
Amy Norton says
Oh Dixie. What I could say to your sweet daughter. She is always welcome, as is her precious little blessing. No one can take her out of God’s hands; no one. Once a child of God, always a child of God… no matter what we do. I mess up every single day, and yet He still loves me. Praying for your family. <3
Kerri manning says
Amy,
First of all, I would like to tell you how awesome you are. You have been there for my kids and so many others. You treat them like your own.
Secondly, what you said Wednesday night was PERFECT!!!!! So often teens hear, it will be ok just this once or God will forgive me. They forget they have to forgive themselves and that is a lot harder.
And finally, you are Priceless!!! Your words are perfect.
Amy Norton says
Thank you Kerri. <3
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
Thank you so much for sharing this beautifully written post. If only we could wrap our heads around how precious we are to our Heavenly Father so that we wouldn’t be so tempted to receive praise, adoration, and pressure from the world. I, too, often have to watch my words. However, this is where discernment comes in. You were listening to the Holy Spirit and others were blessed. Thank you for sharing this. May we all come to a deeper understanding of just how great the Father’s love is for each of us.
Amy Norton says
<3 Thank you, Heather.
maeghan Myers says
That is exactly what I needed to hear today and it was beautiful.
(:
Thank you..
Amy Norton says
I am glad you liked it, Maeghan! <3