Colossians 3:21
The Message (MSG)
21 Parents, don’t
come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.
Children are always striving in some form to please their
parents. They may not know exactly how
or they may fall short in doing so, but deep in their hearts there is a desire
and longing for their parent’s acknowledgement.
A few years ago at a youth service I ministered in, I heard
countless testimonies of the struggles and challenges they endured - many of
them from broken homes. They shared the pain of rejection even when they were
trying their best. In their parents eyes
they could never do right even when they were trying to change for the better. Many shared how their parents were even
opposed of them going to church. So they came alone Sunday after Sunday praying
that one day their parents would join them and see the change that's taking place inside them.
These youths although crushed had a passion; they had a
desire; they had a fighting spirit to stand out instead of fitting in to this
world. Besides their struggles at home, they also faced peer pressure, temptations
and the traps the enemy set out for them BUT they did not give up! Instead they
sought God! They knew they had a need and they were desperately seeking the ONE
who was able to meet it. Praise God!
Parents I plead with you that in your busyness you take a
moment and hear what’s inside your child.
This is a poem that I wrote on behalf of these youths. I pray that you will hear not with your ears
but your hearts:
In My Shoes
“Youth Under
Pressure”, that’s ME everyday!
Trying to survive
what’s placed in my way.
The challenge to
stay pure, a life of righteousness
When all life deals
me are temptations and stress!
Do you have a clue
of what I’m feeling inside?
My hopes and dreams
to live a normal life.
Mom, Dad I’m
reaching out to you
If only you knew
what’s to walk in my shoes.
My thoughts are not
my own, no matter how I try
There’s a force
controlling my mind of committing suicide.
My actions rebel of
what I’ve missed all along
The love and
security, that keeps a family strong.
It may be hard to
understand what I say or do,
I’m just screaming
for attention from the both of you.
I may walk around,
acting tough like I don‘t care
But deep in my
heart I long for love, I’m scared!
You see, I’m not
what I seem to be
If only you’ll
listen to what’s hidden in me.
I’m a child lost in
a world where the battles are strong
I’m searching for a
place where I feel I can belong.
This place I’ve
stumbled across, no words can express
In my shoes HE’s
walked and offers me rest.
HIS throne, where I
laid all my pain and sorrows
Has given me hope
for a brighter tomorrow.
You see my old
shoes, I no longer walk in
HE’s given me a new
pair to follow Him.
Don’t give up hope,
for HE’s working in me
It’s a slow
process, but one day you’ll see.
In my shoes, won’t
YOU walk IN one day?
So you can share
with me WHO I AM today.
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