Ah, here we are yet again...on the precipice of another school year. So many have already begun their journey into the next grade and next phase of life, while others anxiously await (or dread) the start of their own. So many kids wondering how they'll navigate a new grade or new school all together. I remember those feelings all too well. I've been thinking about those days for a while now, and I've had so many things I wish I could go back and say to myself. I have been listening to the song "Dear Younger Me" by MercyMe a lot (cue ALL THE BIG FEELS AND WEEPIES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoO0kyPRu3M). Tonight is also Back to School night at youth group, and a big part of the evening will be giving advice. I think a couple of things I would say to myself are also what I would say to kids now.
* You are more brave than you probably give yourself credit for. I know I was terrified through so many years of school. "Am I attractive enough? Will I ever be thin enough? What if I look stupid trying that? What if I give the wrong answer and they laugh? What if I fail?" But you still TRIED so many things. You didn't realize then just how brave you are. You played sports even when you had to wear a homemade basketball uniform because the new uniforms hadn't arrived, and there wasn't an old one big enough. You went on trips around the world with people you barely knew in the midst of serious social anxiety over meeting new people and struggling with small talk. You, too, dear ones, are probably more brave than you realize right now.
* You are more beautiful than you know. I look back at pictures of myself having fun with my family and friends or serving with youth groups, and where I used to be embarrassed by the chubby kid in the photo, I now feel protective of her. I wasn't perfect then by any means, but I can see a beauty shine through that cute round face where I used to see shame. You love your family and friends. You have a contagious laugh! You are talented and smart and funny. And you are BEAUTIFUL because God KNIT YOU TOGETHER. You, too, dear ones, have a built-in beauty simply by being part of God's GOOD creation.
Also, some advice: everyone is trying to figure out where they fit, where they can belong, what they're good at, and how to be loved. BE. KIND. Look out for the little guy, the outsider. SO MUCH of our actions hinge on wanting so desperately to be loved and to feel accepted. Help each other to feel loved and be accepted. You can discover a great deal about yourself and where you fit by HELPING OTHERS. And if we all help those around us, we each get helped in the process, too!
Work hard...Whether it seems like it or not, your actions as a student now can affect you the rest of your life. Work hard. Study hard. Take that work ethic into everything else you do....
...including playing. PLAY HARD. Have FUN, for crying out loud! Don't let any of your fears or anxieties or something stupid someone said keep you from pursuing fun (wholesome) things that make you HAPPY! God invented fun. Have some! Try new things.
God built into you certain gifts and abilities that He wants to use in your life...for your good, for His glory, and to impact the world around you. God put you here for a reason. He has plans for you and those talents...the world may NEED what YOU have to offer. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. YOU MATTER.
If for some reason there are people who simply cannot understand that you should be treated with kindness and respect and continue to make your life terrible, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. There are people around you who love you and care about you and want to help you. Speak up!
Go into the school year with a humble confidence in who you are as God's handiwork. There is *so much more* I could say, but I will end with a brief re-cap of what I just said in case someone wasn't paying attention: Be kind. Work hard. Play hard. You have talents and abilities GOD GAVE YOU FOR A REASON. Ask for help when you need it. And last, but not least, you are part of God's amazing creation, bear HIS IMAGE, and YOU MATTER. God loves you more than you could EVER imagine, just the way you are.
