Surviving High School

Saw an article yesterday about a beautiful 16 year old girl who committed suicide over Christmas and I feel convicted to say this to my younger friends on here:

High school, like many things in this life, in this world, is temporary. greatest prison

Keep the big picture in your mind at all times. I know it’s difficult, but think more long-term than what is happening this week or this month. Be about bigger things in life. Build your name, your reputation, on things of character.

If you have really messed up and made a mistake, or made a fool of yourself – it’s ok, we’ve all been there. Apologize where necessary, forgive yourself and move on.

Popularity ends on graduation day. It doesn’t mean a damn thing in real life. Honestly. That is good news for some people and bad news for others.kindness

Be nice to everyone, always. Be the kid that includes everyone. One day, I promise, you’ll be glad you did.
Pay no mind to those who aren’t nice, except to pray for them. It’s their problem not yours. Their insecurities, their guilt, their anger and bitterness driving them to do what they do and say what they say.

 

Most importantly, ALWAYS remember, it’s hurting people that hurt other people. Those the mark of true maturitygirls calling you names, or the boys making fun of your body are actually crying out for love, for acceptance. It’s not really about you at all. And one day (most of them) will realize that. The few who don’t, well, they never really leave high school, but that’s ok, because you will.

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling. There is no flaw in you.” – Song of Solomon 4:7

 

 

forgive others   peace

The Believer’s Freedom

I remember the first time I had a revelation about this verse it set me FREE:
“Everything is permissible–but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible–but not everything is constructive.”  – I Corinthians 10:23

What Paul is saying is you can do anything you want, but not everything is going to make you happy, or satisfied, or peaceful, or prosperous.

Especially with where I was in my life at that point, I needed to know I wasn’t being told “what not to do”, that I could make my own decisions and God would still love me and forgive me. What I needed at that time in my life was not more rules and religion, or guilt and condemnation, but, love, and grace and freedom. And in that verse I found it.

Eventually I just realized that I was a lot happier doing the things that would make me closer to Him anyway. Being more like Him.

And so there it is, right under the most appropriate heading the Bible ever published: “The Believer’s Freedom”.

I had a discussion about this tonight with a friend, and thought someone else might need that revelation as well.

[January 2013]

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