rant about our teen girls

Yesterday morning I had attended a local meeting put on by the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in our local hospital. My thoughts turned to our teen girls then. Did you know that a young teen girl's whole way of presenting herself changes after she's had sex? I have gone with enough girls to pick up a pregnancy test or go see a doctor when they are older. I have heard too many stories of sexual crimes towards them. Yes, some of them put themselves in risky situations but remember that they are under the protection of us! Why aren't we stepping in? Child protection shouldn't just be us setting such wonderful boundaries that we can't interfere in their lives anymore. We should interfere, teaching them their worth and how to stay safe. We should interfere by showing them what it looks like to heal after being demoralised.

Then there was the moment yesterday when one of our junior teen girls said she got an academic award in school. I reminded her of when she was first in the homework club and struggled to read because of her dyslexia. Five years later she is doing so well! I told her how proud I was of her. She was beaming.

Last night I popped into Junior Teens Club. My aim was to get a couple of applications out to some junior teens we are inviting to camp training. Instead I found myself caught up in my junior teens trap - hanging out. A ton of girls showed up from one of the areas. Only some of them have come to that club this year at any time. There were a few who had never been, ever! One of the girls immediately says, "do you remember me?" I was trying so hard but couldn't even when she took her sunglasses off. Then she told me that I used to dance with them at the DCM discos a few years ago. Nice to know my dance moves were so memorable! Just another reminder that every moment spent giving positive attention to a child is remembered. If that is what will give me favour when they become junior teens then I am alright with that! A couple of other new girls talked about how their religion teachers in school make them want to not believe in God. You can be an atheist and teach religion in the schools here. I assured them that every single one of the leaders in this club really believe what they are teaching, not because they have to but because it is so real to the deepest parts of who we are. She sat wide eyed. My evening continued like that.

If we don't have the courage to speak truth confidently into the lives of our teenagers then how will they ever know how valuable they are? How will they learn what true life really is? How will they learn anything other than what the streets and their peers teach them? I don't work in our teenage clubs. I just pass through them. You don't have to be a youth worker to speak truth into a teens life. You just have to pass by and stop long enough to really see them. They often can't see themselves yet. Call the goodness and potential out of them. Love them when they can't love themselves anymore.

living room

Although slow in coming, I have finally decided my living room looks presentable enough to post pictures! My kitchen is just to the side by the brown couch. I suppose it is more than my living room. It is also my dining room, sewing room, and extra countertop space. Down a little hall is my bathroom and bedroom. My whole flat would fit into my parents' living room. I am so thankful for it! I even have a balcony big enough for a bistro table and chairs. Currently I just have a tomato plant and some herbs out there. The living room has the full afternoon/evening sun.

covered in love - sweet love

Babies - I thought there might be a lull in how many babies are being born amongst those I know in Dublin. Apparently not! In the last few weeks I have heard of at least three more of our young people who are expecting babies. This time I know as many of the fathers as I do the mothers. At least they are almost all over 18 this time. There are babies being born to some of the families with teenagers already in the house. I have a few friends from church who are also expecting babies. Oh yes, then there are two babies that were just born to my co-workers in Drimnagh and also Ballyfermot. There is no "normal" time or age to be to have babies here. In some cases we mumble to ourselves that they should have known better. In other cases we celebrate with the family. Regardless of when someone has a baby or how ideal the timing in life is there is one thing we can be guaranteed of - God has placed immeasurable worth on that child. Each child born has personality and abilities just waiting to be celebrated and brought out to share with the world. In the few years after they are born they will function as if the world is a safe or terrifying place.

I think of the baby dedications I have seen in church. The church is asked if they will commit to supporting the family and helping nurture this child into all that he or she was made to be. Shouldn't we be committing to do that with all children?

While in Canada I was able to finish a second baby quilt but was unsure as to who I would give it to. When I heard that my co-worker, Paddy, and his wife had a baby girl I decided this quilt was for them. I pray that Isabelle will be covered in the love of our Father through these formative years.

developing leaders

Leadership development - there are some things that continually pop up because they are coincidental or strategic for your own life. Other times they seem to be buzz words that everyone uses but few understand. Today I joined other (youngish) Christian leaders here in Dublin to talk about these buzz words. Yes, this is something that really concerns me. I am concerned because there are children born everyday and they have to learn from someone. If we don't continue to build up Christian leaders then who will teach them about life and love?

It was great to start talking about it with peers here in the city. It has to be on our radar. It should be more than that though. Our lives should be lived with awareness that, whether we want to be or not, we ARE teaching others exactly who they should be. My question? What are people learning from you? What are people learning from me?

In less than a month I will be gathering our Summer Interns ... now fondly named the G. R. O. W. internship (God Renewing Our Worldview). I will sit and do training with them but what will they really learn from me? Guaranteed, because of the nature of what we do, the primary learning will be observational; the training will be supplemental; the conversations will be where we pull out the truth. They will learn what my coworkers and I live out more than anything else. Will they learn Christian leadership?

today's investment

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. ~ Matthew 6:28-30

At every turn over the past few weeks God has been saying, "I am the God who provides ... You have all you need in this moment". For the first time in a very long time I actually fully believe him. Wouldn't it be nice to say that I always do? My thoughts and actions would betray me as I would try to put into place safety nets; you know the ones I am talking about. Instead, God keeps telling me that he has provided all I need.

When I begin to really believe it then I also begin to see the ways in which he is providing. My striving becomes less and my eyes grow wide as if they see for the very first time. As I wait on him for vision, wisdom, life, and practical things I find that at just the right moment every need is met. Like manna in the desert I cannot store it up for tomorrow. There is no interest in the bank - only in investment in the Kingdom.

Jesus in my day

Before I left Canada a friend gave me this book - Jesus Calling. I have tried devotional books before. In my teens they were really good but in recent years I have found them lacking. This one is different. It is short. It is to the point. It encourages me to speak with God.

It doesn't matter what each day holds, Jesus makes it more alive. This week a good friend from Canada is visiting. After time in DCM we journeyed down to Co. Wexford to pick up the last of my things in storage. The Hill family were fantastic hosts once again! Even in yesterday, Jesus made the day brighter, fuller, and more beautiful.