HOPE for the Holidays - Day 15

My kids and friends, during the teenage years - 1990s
(L-R my Ben, Rhett, my Dan, Benny, April, and my Rebecca)

"Discipline your children while there is HOPE. Otherwise you will ruin their lives." (Prov. 19:18)











Smile for the Day:

         I once heard of a little boy who told this story to his grandpa: One day, I was walkin' through the jungle. It was a dangerous jungle full of lions! and tigers! and TEENAGERS!!!

Story of HOPE:

          My Phillip often says that we measure time in hours and years, but God counts time in moments and seasons. Like Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, the teenager season is often the best of times and the worst of times... 

          "Phillip," our youth pastor said, "Would you and Jill go tell those kids in the parking lot that they can't skateboard during Wednesday night activities? They can either come in for the youth service or we're calling the police."
           Outside, the chase was on - two middle-aged parents huffing and puffing after eight teens across the parking lot, into the church building, and down the halls. Just when they were about to escape out the door again, we caught 'em! (Thank You, Lord!)
            "Y'all can't skateboard during worship services. Come on in the youth service; we'd love to have you."
            "No, we don't want to."   
            "Then you'll have to leave. They're about to call the police on you."
            "We don't wanna leave."
            "Well, then, will you meet with us for Bible study?" Phillip asked.
            "Yeah."
            "Okay. Jill, you take the girls, and I'll take the boys."

             On that cold, January night in 1998, God opened a three-year door for us to love, encourage, pray for, and teach God's Word to the "Skater Kids" - a group that would grow to over 50 teenagers. Those kids are now adults. Although we've lost touch with most of them, we've learned that some are now in church leadership. Isn't God good! His ways are truly amazing!


O Father, please give my readers many opportunities in Jesus' name to love, encourage, pray for, and teach Your Word of HOPE and TRUTH to teenagers!