Thankful Thursday: A Challenge
If you're reading this, I probably count you as a friend. We may have never met in person, and unless you come to Texas, we probably never will. (I'm a homebody.) But we may have met through my books, your books, our children, a mutual friend ... bingo, lol. One way or another we are friends in person or online. So I see the things you post on Facebook. I read your Tweets. I see the pictures you post on Instagram. I read the emails you send me.
I know when you're hurting, angry, lonely, frustrated, worried, or overwhelmed by life. And I hurt and worry and get mad right along with you. I empathize with you, and I pray for you.
So today's blog is for all of my friends' children and all of my young friends who will soon be starting school (or already started). I want to remind you that you are not alone. For one thing, nearly every adult you know is pulling for you to succeed in everything you do this year, whether it's academically, musically, dramatically, artistically, or athletically (and I'm not even sure that's a word). Oh, sure, there's always that one teacher, coach, administrator, or whoever, who truly seems to take pleasure in tormenting young people. But really, they are few and far between.
We want to see what you'll accomplish this year. We want to see you blossom and flourish. We want to see your smile, hear your laughter, share in the joys that come your way every day.
Speaking personally, I want to remind you that as hard as your teenage years can be--and make no mistake, they can be painfully trying--they don't last forever. A world awaits you after high school, and an even bigger and better world awaits you after college. Life just keeps getting better. I promise.
So as the school year begins, I'm throwing down a challenge.
Parents, I challenge you to talk to your children every single day. Ask open-ended questions, and listen. Don't let your kids get off with some lame, mono-syllabic reply, the goal of which is to make you stop asking questions. Make them give you details. If you need to make a list of questions to rotate through the week, do it. Who'd you eat lunch with today, and what did y'all talk about? What was your favorite class today, and why? Tell me about a new friend you made. Tell me about your new teachers. The key lies in not asking questions that can be answered with a yes, no, fine, or whatever.
Young people, my challenge to you is multi-part. First, answer your parents' questions. They really do want to know what's going on in your life and in your head. Second, talk to your parents. Tell us things we didn't ask about. Tell us what excites you, worries you, is hurting you. And third, when you talk to us, if we offer advice, listen. We were in your shoes once, and we probably learned a thing or two along the way. We would love to help you avoid some of life's more painful and/or embarrassing lessons (i.e., a revival of most 70s fashions is NOT a good idea).
Young people, nearly every adult you know is sitting on the edge of their seat, just waiting, excited to know what the future holds for you, and what you'll do with it. Go get it. Take the love of your parents, surrogate parents (like me), teachers, your friends' parents, and go out and conquer this year. And remember: You are not alone. I'm with you. But better than that ... God is with you. Every step of the way.
I know when you're hurting, angry, lonely, frustrated, worried, or overwhelmed by life. And I hurt and worry and get mad right along with you. I empathize with you, and I pray for you.
So today's blog is for all of my friends' children and all of my young friends who will soon be starting school (or already started). I want to remind you that you are not alone. For one thing, nearly every adult you know is pulling for you to succeed in everything you do this year, whether it's academically, musically, dramatically, artistically, or athletically (and I'm not even sure that's a word). Oh, sure, there's always that one teacher, coach, administrator, or whoever, who truly seems to take pleasure in tormenting young people. But really, they are few and far between.
We want to see what you'll accomplish this year. We want to see you blossom and flourish. We want to see your smile, hear your laughter, share in the joys that come your way every day.
Speaking personally, I want to remind you that as hard as your teenage years can be--and make no mistake, they can be painfully trying--they don't last forever. A world awaits you after high school, and an even bigger and better world awaits you after college. Life just keeps getting better. I promise.
So as the school year begins, I'm throwing down a challenge.
Parents, I challenge you to talk to your children every single day. Ask open-ended questions, and listen. Don't let your kids get off with some lame, mono-syllabic reply, the goal of which is to make you stop asking questions. Make them give you details. If you need to make a list of questions to rotate through the week, do it. Who'd you eat lunch with today, and what did y'all talk about? What was your favorite class today, and why? Tell me about a new friend you made. Tell me about your new teachers. The key lies in not asking questions that can be answered with a yes, no, fine, or whatever.
Young people, my challenge to you is multi-part. First, answer your parents' questions. They really do want to know what's going on in your life and in your head. Second, talk to your parents. Tell us things we didn't ask about. Tell us what excites you, worries you, is hurting you. And third, when you talk to us, if we offer advice, listen. We were in your shoes once, and we probably learned a thing or two along the way. We would love to help you avoid some of life's more painful and/or embarrassing lessons (i.e., a revival of most 70s fashions is NOT a good idea).
Young people, nearly every adult you know is sitting on the edge of their seat, just waiting, excited to know what the future holds for you, and what you'll do with it. Go get it. Take the love of your parents, surrogate parents (like me), teachers, your friends' parents, and go out and conquer this year. And remember: You are not alone. I'm with you. But better than that ... God is with you. Every step of the way.
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