One of my Monday Night Girls is going through an incredibly tough time. She is 16 and has been in and out of foster homes her entire life. Her mother is an addict. She has never met her biological father. She has been a resident of our group home for a total of 2 years now. She has had a couple of failed family placements, the most recent just occurring last week.
She is struggling with self worth, self image, rejection...normal teenage angst exacerbated by serious heartbreak and disappointment.
I have been really struggling with how to reach her. She is so broken and hurt, yet she protects herself with attitude. She reaches out to me and as I respond she pushes me away--over and over again.
Her attention seeking behaviour is at a fever pitch and is becoming increasingly concerning. She has a therapist, a case worker, house parents, a mentor, teachers and friends...but none of us can 'fix' her or her life.
She has been weighing heavy on my heart. The Enemy has been plaguing me with thoughts of inadequacy...and then I heard the words to this song. It is on my husband's ipod. I have heard it before...but this time I really HEARD the lyrics and they moved me to tears.
The life that she’s known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart
You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
-Casting Crowns
And now I have my marching orders. Not just for this child, but for all the other people God puts in my life whose back stories I will likely never know.
It is not ours to 'fix' them or to have all the answers. Our call is simply to show up and to love.
6 comments:
My church wrote our own VBS curriculum this year and ironically it's called Love Like Jesus.
I'll spend some time in prayer for you and her this evening J!
This is one of my favorite songs too. It makes me cry every time as well. I'm sure you are doing a great job of "loving her like Jesus".
What a beautiful reminder! That song is on my i-pod as well! You are such an amazing person and I always enjoy reading your blog! Thanks!
What a great reminder. We get so caught up in trying to be God in a person's life (at least I do) especially working with teens. This is a beautiful reminder that He is perfectly capable to transforming a life.
I mentor young girls....middle school-college aged...and the enemy always gets me with the feeling of inadequacy. Thanks for these words!
I would like to suggest the book healing for damaged emotions. It will help you understand her in a way you might not even be able to imagine right now.
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