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One minute they want to be 10 again, sitting in their mama's lap and the next minute they're asking for the keys to the car to get in practice behind the wheel or asking if they can go to a Spring Formal with a young man who already has his driver's license! While it's confusing for them, I feel a little schizo myself, parenting my first teenage daughter!
In addition to dealing with living in these 2 worlds, Chelsea has struggled with her "sphere of influence"... her peers. Up until high school, she hasn't had or desired much of a "social life". She's fairly introverted and has always enjoyed "her time" and quite honestly we have all enjoyed just "hangin" as a family.
Chelsea's been fairly "sheltered" and her eyes have certainly been opened to the reality of what kids her age are "up to" these days. Needless to say, most of it goes completely against what she knows and feels to be moral and of value and is also contrary to God's word. While she feels this way, she has also longed to be accepted and "in" with the crowd, as most desire (adults included). The struggle of juggling this has been even greater than attempting to live in the "two worlds" as explained above.
OK...now to the events of today...
Our family went to church this morning. We attend early worship and then scatter to our respective Bible Fellowship groups. Following Bible Fellowship this morning, I retrieved Hope and Chuck retrieved Chloe. After picking Hope up I met Chelsea in front of the sanctuary and we headed out the front doors. After the 3 of us were about 20-30 feet out the door a man called from behind me. I had never seen this man before. He was probably in his later 40's early 50's. He approached me asking if Chelsea was my daughter. Following my response, he said, "If you don't mind I need to share something with her." I consented. This man proceeded to say that he couldn't help to notice her standing against the wall in the lobby of the church while she watched a small group of her peers huddled up chatting. He said he couldn't help but think Chelsea wanted to be a part of that group.
This man then continued to say he had a "word" he needed to pass along to Chelsea. He said, "God has tremendous plans for you. He wants to use you to influence many for Him. Unfortunately, many times, in order to have an influence, you can't be a part of a group. Just like we are reminded in the word, God wants you to know,
"You are who I say, who I say, that you are." "
The man concluded with reminding Chelsea of God's love for her and encouraging her to stand firm against a lot of what her peers tend to busy themselves with, ie...gossiping, lying, secrets and "drama", and how God had something much differently planned for her.
As the man finished talking to Chelsea, we (Chelsea and I) were both in tears. I thanked him for his words and asked for his name. He responded, "Mark". I introduced myself as "Sarah". He quickly asked Chelsea what her name was. We then turned and parted ways.
Chelsea and I walked down the sidewalk holding hands and crying. In that brief moment and through those short but powerful words from a total stranger, God moved in a mighty way. The magnitude of what just transpired began to hit Chelsea more deeply. As she began to cry harder, we stopped walking and embraced each other. I glanced back to see the man, but he was gone. He left as quickly as he came.
I must say, it has taken a 4 mile run and the rest of the day for me to begin processing what took place on that sidewalk today. How could that man have possibly known what Chelsea has been struggling with? How could he have known those to be the exact words she needed to hear? It was as if my daughter exchanged words with Jesus in the flesh!
"For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;" Luke 4:10
Was that a man?? I'm more inclined to believe it was not...
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
How open are you to entertaining "strangers"?
Blessings!