My heart is heavy...

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 12:26 (NLT) The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) A friend is always loyal, and a brother was born to help in time of need.


In Ruth 1:16 we read that Ruth tells Naomi, 'Wherever you go, I will go also. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.'

In 1 Cor 13:4-7, we learn that 'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'

Seriously - my heart is heavy for 3 teenagers with whom I've recently become acquainted. All struggle with their value and self-worth.


For two of the three, failure is met with yelling, screaming and ugly words. Success is most often met with complacency - ignored because whatever is going on at the moment - TV, friends, drugs, alcohol - is more important than the success... No praise, no 'attaboy' just complacency - 'SO WHAT.' Both are now living away from their families, in a Christian home where there is love, genuine concern about a failure, and praise for success.


The third teen lives in a good Christian home, but for whatever reason struggles with her self-worth and believes that she can never measure up. She told me that she has no real close friends that she can count on in the tough times. All of these kids have friends, but it seems that those 'friends' are not closer than a brother; not giving good advice; nor are they sticking around when the tough times come along.

I pray that these teenagers, and others like them will find the type of friends talked about in Proverbs, or someone like Ruth who will go with them wherever they go. I pray that they will be surrounded by people who will show genuine love and concern as in Corinthians, and learn to trust, and have hope in God's love. In the meantime, I pray also that they will trust the adults who've been placed in their lives, and trust in the peace and love that Jesus gives ALWAYS.