PLEASE LOOK, LISTEN, and SPEAK...

A message from:

Living Waters Counseling

Parents, Teachers, Youth Ministers, Friends, Physicians, Grandparents, Brothers, Sisters, Everyone -

Greetings to all,
This post is not about just recent events...it is about life - all of life. It's about all of us as The Body of Christ - unified in one goal...loving each other - loving our youth, our children...and did I say -each other? Yes - everyone!!!
So - to everyone...

PLEASE LOOK, LISTEN, and SPEAK...if you notice any adolescent or youth that appears to have ANY possible sign of depression, anxiety, please take a moment to speak to them, to their parents. Parenting is without a doubt one of the most difficult, most complex life experiences - and it can be overwhelming - at all ages and stages! Young parent, us older parents - to be parents, and 'blessing parents' - that's a name I learned to call step parents(which is a name I have never liked!) Children and youth are all around all of us...and that's a blessing. One of the most wonderful sounds I know is that of children, adolescents, and youth laughing with joy in their eyes!!! Unforunately, not all youth laugh like that today--they hurt, they feel hurt, pain and express it by trying to avoid the pain in tragic ways.

Become educated as to some of the 'hidden signs' of depression, anxiety, the stressors that might be confronting adolescents and youth. Look to the child that is 'overly happy' - join them in a conversation about 'why' the sudden expolsion of happiness...this could be a masking device that children or youth use to cover up a deep seated sadness. Please understand...we don't encourage harassing your youth or becoming fearful of every change of mood. Pray before you approach the youth, or child - ask God for insight and strength. BUT - please do engage your youth by listening ...watching activities...and learning about their world. Stay engaged in your children's lives - listen, watch...and speak. Your kids may think you, the doctor, the pastor or one of your friends may be 'paranoid' - but that's OK. Are all kids struck in pain and sadness? No - but for that one that is....remember the paradigm of the starfish...you might make the difference for 'that one.' Gain insight and understanding of the hopelessness and helplessness that adolescents and youth experience. Look around to see where lost hope and a sense of helplessness can come into the life experience of one of these precious children. Is there a doorway that we can close for them or a doorway to hope and strength we can open to them?

This is not a time to be fearful. The enemy trafficks in fear - God has not given us a spirit of fear! Be bold enough to speak out if you see questionable behaviors. If you are not sure about an observed behavior, call someone that can help you make a better determination - it is far better to err on the side of mistaken observation than to let something slide under the radar until it surfaces in a tragic circumstance. You can celebrate if you have made a mistake and the child is truthfully in good, healthy, wholesome shape - nothing lost in your effort. God will definitely celebrate your trust in Him through that experience of stepping out in boldness; He can take care of the rest of the situation thru His Healing hands - it's better to be embarrassed than stricken by grief.

Can we watch 24/7? Is it anyone's fault when tragedy strikes? No. It is hurtful, painful...it is lasting. We can heal. How much better to be preventative, proactive. Let's all join together to be prayer coverings for the youth. Let's all join together in a pledge to call on Our Father's Love of His children to protect them from the lies of the enemy. Let's all join together to provide the hope and the strength for our youth as they learn how to journey thru life.

There is a song that says, "Mamas don't let your boys grow up to be cowboys." How about "Mamas and daddys let your kids be kids - don't rush the growing up part - let them learn how to be kids - have fun, laugh, explore, and grow in the love of their family - and God!" Someone near and dear to my heart told me the other day, "Kids aren't buying what they hear in churches...so you can't reach them by beating them over the head with a Bible." I agreed with this person - a very wise person. However, how can we reach the kids with the message of God's unconditional, pure, true love? How can we get the message to them that God loves them in their bad moods, their bad days, their awkward moments. It is critical that we do get the message out. One of the best ways I know is to demonstrate His Love - Reflect the love of Jesus through our adult actions. Guess what? I can imagine Jesus laughed, played, and really, really loved being with children, youth - people who were untainted by the stresses and pains of life!!! How about us...as adults are we still playing, laughing, and loving unashamedly...silly....joyfully? Has life made us bitter, hard hearted so much that our joy has turned into a picture of pain around everyone??? I pray not!!! Remember - we are God's best teachers -thru our lives - we are His billboards!!!! What message are we sending to our youth? Let's pray about sending the message of His LOVE, His JOY! Maybe - the kids will buy that message.

Let's teach our kids by showing them how to laugh,be free - be strong, confident in His Love, His Joy in His Way. Speak out parents - speak up community - as The Body of Christ - let's learn how to love thru the difficulties and grow old -together!!!

Blessings,
Living Waters