Most of what we hear in the news, read in the newspapers, and hear in general conversation about teenagers is negative.
I suppose it is natural since there are a lot of rude, disrespectful teens. There are also a lot of rude, disrespectful adults. We meet them every day on the roads as we go about our daily activities.
But I am thankful that I know a lot of respectful, caring, loving teens and pre-teens that make me proud to attend worship services with them. They prove to our congregation week after week that they are doing their best to live Christian lives.
A few weeks ago, on Wednesday evening, one of young men led the singing for the congregational devotional. Two other young men sat with him on the front row to encourage him. As we stood to sing the invitation song, the young man on the end encouraged the other one sitting with him to move down in case there was a response to the invitation.
This same young man appeared at the door of my classroom one Monday morning. I was changing bulletin boards, and he was there with others on his holiday from school to practice puppets for a presentation.
While waiting on the others to arrive, he offered to help me. His comment was, “I am really good at taking things down but not too good at putting things up!” Then he proceeded to take all the pictures, boarder, and letters from my bulletin boards. He laid everything out in neat piles so that I could put things in storage.
A few weeks ago, I asked one of the 5th graders in my Sunday class to lead the closing prayer. I was aware that he had never done this before.
At first he said, “No thanks”. I told him I was sure he could, and he agreed to try.
He stumbled a little, but that didn’t matter. I sat with tears in my eyes knowing the progress he had made. At the end of his prayer, he apologized for “messing up”. One of the other boys told him not to worry. He said, “Everyone messes up sometimes”.
Sunday evening, this same 5th grader led a song when the young men led our evening service. On Wednesday evening I told the boys what a great job they did, and he told us that he was very nervous about being in front of so many people.
The same boy that told him it was ok to “mess up”, told him that he was nervous too. He encouraged him to keep trying.
The young ladies gave a devotional for the women before the worship service. They led songs, gave speeches, and led prayers.
I have watched them grow both physically and spiritually. Many of these young ladies serve at our annual ladies’ tea, ladies’ days, and other events.
Our teens and pre-teens come to work days at the building. They go to the homes of elderly Christians to rake leaves and perform other chores. They serve!
Our teens aren’t perfect; but when I see the love and respect they have for our congregation and their parents, I am so proud of them. I am also so thankful that I have had the opportunity to teach most of them.
When you see a teen doing good, being respectful, honoring their parents, dressing modestly, or serving the Lord, take a minute to say “thank you”. Believe me, they need to hear it!
Sandra Oliver