My job is unconventional to say the least. Maybe one day I'll go into more detail, but for now, I'll leave it at, I am a sign language interpreter, and I have the wonderful opportunity to travel to some awesome place. A requirement of my job, listening.
As I sat and listened to a girl, her mother, boyfriend and friend talking. She seemed to be super polite and very well mannered, mature and she was beautiful. They tall talked a out college In two years, volunteer jobs they have now because not only do love them, but how beneficial they would be to their college applications. The girls wanted to go to a very prestigious Christian College- which, I'm not knocking, I went to a pretty amazing Christian University, they talked about the teachers they did not like and so on. All very normal topics- until the mother left, after that, all class went out the window and they turned into pretty rude kids with mouths like sailors. Their demeanors changed and didn't have a care in the world.
All I could think was, I wonder what Arcadia acts like when I am not there- have we ever really talked about having integrity in this manor? No, we had net really, and all I can think is, after next school year, she will find herself in high school. Not that that mattered, she is in Junior high now and the same behaviors could be happening. I had this deep feeling that I needed to text her just so she could know what is on my mind, since I was at work and could really call her.
The text in its entirety reads, "There is this girl who is in high school sitting behind me. And for a while she was sitting with her mom. And her mom was talking about what a great Christian her daughter was and how she is going to a very prestigious Christian college and how she's going to be a lawyer- blah blah blah. Which is fine. The daughter acted like she was so perfect and was talking in a super sweet voice and she was behaving very mature. She had 2 friends with her and they were being super polite when her mom was their and then her mom left. She became super rude and her friends were also super rude and they started swearing and they were just AWEFUL. Anyhow, it got me thinking, that I don't want you to be that type of person who acts one way infront of me and then another way around your friends. I would rather you just be real and not lie to me like that girl did to her mom. I'm not saying that you have to act a specific way, but i would just like you to be real? You know? You don't have to tell me everything either. But I would like you to. :)"
It opened up a good conversation for she and I. So my prayer tonight is for our tweens and teens, who may find themselves in this same situation. I have no dobt the girl behind me was a Christian, I simply believe she was not strong enough in her faith to continue behaving when her mom wasn't there, I know personally I find myself in some situations similar, and I'm an adult. So for today, I pray for strength, and for integrity. <3
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for today, thank you for placing me in a moment in which I was able to learn a lesson I can apply to my children. Lord, I pray that as moms we can cultivate a relationship with our child in which they feel comfortable being who they are all time, to be strong in their faith, in their identity in you. I pray that the learn about having the integrity to be able to walk with you and profess your name even when a mom, parent, adult, whomever is not present. Give them the strength to live likes that are pleasing to you and they share you with others around them. Bless them and guide their little lives. <3 in your precious name- Amen.
A text from mom to daughter...
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