Reflections on being a teenager in today's world


Tonight someone in our youth group poured their heart out to me on instant messaging. I won't say what they discussed, I didn't even ask their permission. However, when someone is completely overwhelmed, they need something to help them stay afloat. Here's my feeble attempt. ...

I wish I could say that "everything will be all right," but we really don't know that, and in the mean time it is really hard. I can tell you about how I got through the hardest part of this cancer thing (the part up through when treatment started).

Some people would say, "Well, God is still on the throne." That doesn't do any good, because we wonder, if he's in charge, why is this happening? I know they meant well, though, so I translated that in my head to, "I love you and I care about you but I have no idea what to say."

Other people would say, "Well, I was in your shoes and things worked out." That doesn't help either, because every situation is different. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. Again, I translated that in my head to, "I love you and I care about you and I'm trying to make you feel better."

What got me through the part where I didn't know if I'd recover or if I'd have to leave my family was "Christ is with me, and he loves me." When things don't make sense, it's no good to ask "why is this happening," because the answers won't do any good. What matters to me is that, whatever is happening, Christ loves me and he cares for me. One way or another, that's true, and knowing that I can face this other crap (pardon my language) with strength --- most of the time. I did break down from time to time and weep, but that's ok too.

The "why" may show up after this is all over.

I hope that makes some sense to you too.

And I hope its of use to my blog readers as well.

Posted: Wed - April 2, 2008 at 09:47 PM           | |

©