I love them enough

Life is not easy when you are a teenager. That is for sure.

There are kids that are "easy" to love.

And then there are the ones that it takes a little more.

For millions of different reasons. Some are hyper, some are smelly, some are broken, some are loud, some are dramatic.

It doesn't matter to me. I love them enough to be myself with them. To get on them when they need it, to hug them when they need it, to tell them "you need to shower and get some deoderant" when they need it. And I love them enough to not walk away.

A lot of people (kids) I know don't understand what it feels like to feel like you're not loved. Sometimes you can be the most loved kid in the world, but they don't feel like it. And sometimes you're not the most loved kid in the world. And no matter what, it sucks.

I can go on and on about media and how 'it' is ruining people. It's ruining people (and teens) because we let it. One thing I've learned since working in Metro Youth Ministries is that it will only ruin us if we let it, and this sounds horrible, but we can use it to our benefit. I use myspace and facebook to connect with kids, because they like it, and I can send them a message today telling them I love them and I'm thinking about them, today, and they get it today. I can tell parents about events that are coming up. I can communicate with literally 100 people about 1 thing instead of making 100 phone calls.

I love kids enough to make it work, no matter how I have to do it, whether it's a hug or a myspace message, and no matter how tired I am or frustrated, I love them enough, not to walk out of their lives.

And I am so thankful that God has loved me enough to put people in my lives when I needed them and to never walk away.

Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."