Ladies, I think the "Ayes" definitely have it. We WILL make our Lenten series a focus on worry . . . and before I go any further let me just say that none of you sound like "a mess" because you get tied up in knots over everything from going to the dentist to what the future holds. What you sound like are very human teenage girls who are paying attention to how crazy the world is and wondering how you're possibly going to survive in it.
After reading all your comments, and loving all of you more with every word, I've come up with our six areas. It seems to me that these will cover just about everything --
TIME
SELF-IMAGE/OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS/THINGS THAT HAVE SHAPED THAT FROM OUR PAST
RELATIONSHIPS
SCHOOL
HEALTH
THE FUTURE
Spirituality will be woven throughout, since everything we talk about will depend on our relationships with God. That pretty much starts with Jesus saying:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry . . . "
It never occurred to me until I dove deeply into this to try to help you that the word "therefore" is important. We say therefore when we mean, "So, naturally," "So, obviously," So, it only makes sense that_______"
So I backed up and read what comes right before that, which is "You cannot serve God and wealth." Or God and success. Or God and other people's opinions. Or God and -- anything.
Basically, we don't get how Jesus can say, "Don't worry about anything -- not your clothes or your food or what's going to happen to you tomorrow," when we live in a world that causes us just about nothing BUT stress over that stuff! But when you look at it this way -- that if we're serving all that stuff, we DO have a reason to worry. But if we're serving God, we really don't. -- Jesus doesn't seem so out of touch!
That doesn't mean we go, "Oh, okay!" and we're good to go! What it means is that first and last and all the way through, we need to keep slowly and gradually and deeply getting closer to that God we say we serve.
So that's going to be the foundation of our series, even as we look practically at school worries and appearance concerns and the ever-present, "What do they think of me? DO they think of me?"
It makes sense -- therefore! -- that we all prepare ourselves for this series by making sure we have several things in place. Don't go taking off on a guilt trip if you haven't done these or you used to and you stopped blah, blah. This is about today, okay? So -- be sure you:
* have a quiet place you can always go to for reflection -- you might have to be creative if you have a big noisy family
* have at least a small block of time carved out of every day FOR that reflection; try not to wail, "That's the problem. I don't HAVE time!" If you can only find five mintues a day, that's a start.
* have a Bible you can understand
* have a journal or a sketchpad -- some way to record your thoughts either verbally or visually
* know God loves you and can't wait to spend this time with you -- no matter what you've done or how far away you've drifted or how "bad" you think you are. If you're having trouble accepting that, please, please email me. (nnrue@att.net)
Tomorrow I'll be focusing on the tweens who I HOPE will finally have their blog party. Monday will be our first post in this series. Between now and then, please comment with your "getting ready" plans and support each other as we prepare to begin. And of course, Welcome MARGARET as you're all so good at doing.
I am SO looking forward to this Ladies. You have no idea.
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
I don't have time to read the post, but I have a really important prayer request: today at school one of my friends told another one of my friends that I like a certain boy, and the other friend told the boy when he got to school!!!!! He (the other friend) basically ruined my friend's and my lives (I have another friend who likes him too and this other friend told the boy about both of us). I was good friends with this boy, and now everything's awkward because basically the entire school knows all the details of my love life. I don't even know how the boy feels, but I feel bad for him. Life was a lot easier in elementary school when the boys barely existed.
Posted by: Grace Anne | 02/14/2013 at 08:02 PM
I totally feel you, Grace Anne, boys are soooo incredibly confusing sometimes:) I would say just wait and see how the boy reacts and if he says anything about it to you. try and continue to talk to him and continue the friendship and maybe it will be brought up in conversation one day, and you can explain everything. I'm not really sure where anything might lead but just hang in there:) I'm sure everything will be alright:)
Posted by: *Olivia* :) | 02/14/2013 at 08:46 PM
I totally agree with you, Grace, that everything was less complicated in elementary school (especially Valentine's Day, where we'd all give each other candy and there was no awkwardness or hurt feelings :)! I'll be praying for you! It might be embarrassing and awkward for you, but I wouldn't necessarily feel bad for the guy... I bet that he's secretly flattered and glad that you like him :)
Posted by: Katie | 02/14/2013 at 09:57 PM
I just wanted to thank you girls for the prayers. This week has been a really good week for me. Everything isn't fixed, but I've been feeling happier and more connected to my family. I have a counseling appointment for next week, prayers for that would be good. :) I love you girlies. <3
Posted by: Therese | 02/14/2013 at 10:25 PM
Hi, I'm new here... this seems like a weird time to jump in, but I decided I want to be a part of this conversation on worrying. I don't normally do this kind of thing, and I'm not exactly known for my amazing presence online:)
But I'm a big worrier, and while I'm too late to make a list, and I thought commenting might help me to keep coming back to the posts, and take it more seriously.
Posted by: Ea | 02/14/2013 at 10:39 PM
Ea~ Welcome!!! There will never be a weird time to jump in, you are will always be welcomed and loved!
This sounds like it'll be really helpful, and what I need.
Right now my whole family needs LOTS of prayer. We have the flu. x_x Everyone is feeling icky (Btw there are 7 people in my family). I'm on the tail end of it now, but when I had it my dad was the only one who was still not sick. He was taking care of 6 other people single-handedly. I'm almost finished with this bug (I hope) , so that is good. But here is my big need of prayer:
My Grandma has it. She lives alone next door. But we're afraid she'll pass out and we won't know. NOW, she is having trouble even going to the bathroom without feeling like she could pass out. Please pray for her strength, for her to quickly recover, and help us to find someone who could take care of her 24 hours a day till she gets better. She's normal the one in charge, but now she has to be someone's charge, so she's also feeling kind of (actually REALLY) helpless. I would be that helper except I'm 14 can't drive and don't have a cell phone, so that leaves me helpless to help her.
Thank you girls for being such wonderful sisters in Christ!! (That includes you Mrs. Rue!)
Posted by: God'sgirl/Abi | 02/14/2013 at 11:25 PM
Therese - you go girl!!! SO happy for you!! :) :)
Ea - Welcome Ea!! You couldn't have picked a better time to join us - we're just getting started ;)
Praying for everyone and also the tweens, that their blog party would go well.
Posted by: Abby:) | 02/14/2013 at 11:39 PM
This is exactly where I am. What a blessing. Btw, picked up 'Nama Beach #1 today Nancy, in my eyes Mrs Isaacsen is you! I know I've said that before -- years ago -- (oh wow I used to be twelve, back in the day when I discovered 'Tween you and Me, I'm almost 17!) -- but it's true. :) Any new books coming out?!?!
Posted by: emii | 02/15/2013 at 03:15 AM
Grace Anne - I'm so sorry that happened to you girl :( But like Olivia and Katie said, this isn't necessarily the end of your relationship with him. I'll be praying that you can find the grace and class and strength to forgive your friends and be the same wonderful girl you've been when you're around this guy now, in this new situation. Good news: God's got it all planned out anyways! He knows that for whatever reason, this is going to make all of you better and keep you on His path :)
Therese - So so happy for and proud of you :) I will definitely pray for your counseling appointment, and just so you know, I think you are so brave for taking these first steps. You have the desire to be healed, and I know God can't wait to help :)
Ea - welcome welcome welcome!! This is actually a perfect time to come in, we're just starting a new series :) Can't wait to get to know you more!
Abi - my prayers are with your family, especially your grandma. That must be really hard and so scary, but I pray that God will take care of every need and keep you safe in His love and perfect plan.
Emii - so good to hear from you!!! :)
Margaret - a huge welcome to you too!! We're so excited to have you here :)
Love and Blessings,
*Rachel*
Posted by: *Rachel* | 02/15/2013 at 09:21 AM
Oh, and I have a prayer request too. This weekend, I'll be traveling to the east coast to go to a soccer clinic/camp thing at a college there that I really like. I'm hopeful that it will go well, because the coach there has come to watch a couple of my games at different tournaments, and it would be really cool if they were interested in me; playing soccer when I go to college is a dream for me. Most importantly, this is also a great academic school, and that's what I think matters most. Prayers for safe travels and that I will play my very best would be much appreciated! :)
Love and Blessings,
*Rachel*
Posted by: *Rachel* | 02/15/2013 at 09:24 AM
Hey ladies! Just wanted to stop by and say a quick hello! I'm sorry I haven't had too much time to "hang out" with you all! I've been reading the posts and most of the comments though. However, I will be done with school in just one more week (so excited!) and then I won't be quite so busy and should have plenty of time to read all of your comments and comment myself.
Welcome, Ea and Margaret!! So glad to have both of you joining us! :)
Love you girls! Praying for all of you!!
Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth | 02/15/2013 at 05:54 PM
Welcome Ea!!!! Like the girls said, great time to jump in:) Also, I forgot to say welcome to Margaret:)!! Prayers for you Rachel, and Abi, and Therese- dear girl, you are so loved and I'm so happy that you're on the road to recovery again:). Also prayers or anybody else I may have missed:)
Blessings,
Olivia:)
Posted by: *Olivia* :) | 02/15/2013 at 06:34 PM
I am so excited for this 'worry' series. I just got back from a church retreat, and while I was there I was reminded of how much I worry! When I got home from the retreat, I had the whole night to myself and thought I'd check in with you girls. And then the post ended up being about worrying! I'm usually terrible at blogging but I'm going to carve out some extra time so that I can read this, because I know I need it! Thank you, Mrs. Rue!
Posted by: Megan | 02/16/2013 at 08:53 PM