"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"-- Isaiah 41:10
“They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day that I will make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” ~Malachi 3:17
Dear One,
Look around you at the beautiful and wonderful world I have created. But do you know what? Of all the wonders of this world and the heavens beyond it, you are my most treasured possession. Believe it.
--Your Loving Father
When you consider how much God loves you, how do you respond?
I cut myself sometimes. I don’t know why exactly. I can’t help it. When I feel sad or overwhelmed or something, I just take a razor and do it. I don’t really think about it. Sometimes I don’t even realize what I’ve done till I look down and see blood on my arm.
Jeff just dumped me. I really loved him. I don’t know why people think that people like me at 15 can’t love someone else deeply. I went into the bathroom today and started thinking about Jeff and wondering why he doesn’t still love me after I gave myself totally to him. Next thing I knew, I had done it. I cut myself, I mean.
My mom didn’t even ask me why I had a bandage on my arm. Both of my parents are so clueless. Sometimes I just want to scream, “Look at me! Look at what I’ve done!” But I don’t think they’d care. They’re so wrapped up in their own lives. Moms too busy working. Dads got a new girlfriend—a different one from the one he had when my mom filed for divorce. (I live with my mom.)
My friend Rain saw the cuts on my arm and asked me about them. (I’m still amazed that she did. I had on a long sleeved shirt.) She goes to my church, and I wondered if I should tell her that I’m always worried. I don’t know if she’d understand. I just don’t know what to do.
-Daray, age 15
I read this and it reminded me of when I was younger. I felt like my parents were so caught up in their lives that I even wondered if they cared. I wanted to hurt myself, just to see if any person would ask me how I was. I wrote a poem based on these feelings. This poem pretty much sums up how kids, teens, even adults, feel today.
Do people take the time to see
Who I really wanna be
Or are they too busy lookin on e-bay
They never listen to what I say
Lookin for something new
Until they see me sitting at a pew
As I was praying I began to cry
But, the funny part is they proceeded to walk by
As I continued to pray
I wondered and I wondered what to say
Or even how much I would have to pay
Too see if God would be my hero some day
----Cassandra Falun, age 16
Even a devoted follower of Christ could have a silent cry, they just don’t know what to say or even wonder if people would listen to what they had to say. It isn’t just awareness for parents it’s for everyone. We as ourselves, as a community, as the world, need to listen to what everyone has to say… no matter where they stay or where they are from. We were sent here by God and we need to accept who God made and meet who our brothers and sisters are. Everyone is unique. Everyone needs help in some sort of way. Be the difference, it is up to you and me to start the trend.
