Well, I finally feel like I am coming out of the craziness known as the Princess Tea. I’ve been MIA on my blog (which I don’t like to do!) simply because last week I felt like my brain couldn’t really put any thoughts together that made sense! We had a fantastic day at the tea, and I KNOW that God was working in many ways, I have been hearing great reports – and I pray that little hearts (and older hearts!) were touched.
Ironically, after a day of speaking life and love into young lives, I was watching the news and I came across a really heartbreaking story. Apparently among preteens right now there is a new thing happening called the “Do you think I am Ugly” craze. Kids are posting pictures and videos of themselves on-line and asking others to vote on whether they in fact, think they are good looking or if they are ugly.
I found this so sad. As a girl who has lived way too many years of her life in complete insecurity – I know the power of negative words and just how much they can devastate and hurt. This whole story broke my heart. Firstly, because there are children out there that are looking for this kind of peer affirmation, (which isn’t totally surprising) and secondly because I can imagine that those responding to the “Do you think I am Ugly” questions won’t always be kind, won’t see beyond their own hurts, and won’t stop to think about the power of their words.
But, I believe what these kids really want to know is, “Do you love me?”
It made me wish I could go to every video and picture and post, “You are beautiful! You are made in the image of the one true God. He has a plan and purpose for your life! He knit you together in your mother’s womb, You are fearfully and wonderfully made!”
But I don’t have the resources to do that. But what I can do, what we can ALL do together is look at the children and teens in our life and speak words of love and life to them each and every day. Children in our own families, Children we see in our community, Children who we get the priviledge to minister to each week at church. Not empty words with no meaning – but WE can love like Jesus loved and help instill Godly confidence into those we come into contact with every day. We can see the special gifts and talents they have and affirm them. We can help them deal with opposition and learn to be strong, when it really isn’t easy to be strong. We can be part of teaching our children through the Word of God, that Jesus is real and alive in their lives and that his love is stronger than any rejection that comes their way. And we can be there for them. Listening and caring – through good time, and difficult times. We can help raise a generation of kids strong and confident in Jesus.
I’d love to see a new craze start. Instead of the “Do you think I am ugly?” polls, how about the ”Do you think I am beautiful? Well, it doesn’t really matter what you think, because JESUS lives in me!” poll.
Let’s be intentional speakers of life-giving words. Lets answer “Yes, I love you!”
Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Shelly
