Back-To-School Encouragement

Dear middle school and teen students,

What advice did my parents give me this morning for the new school year? Three pieces of advice that I received recently (from parents and K-LOVE) were:

1. Seek sincerity, not popularity. Summer, from the movie Wonder, was with a popular group of girls, but when they started making fun of someone (that someone was Auggie), then Summer moved on and befriended Auggie. Julian from the movie Wonder reminded my dad of Eddie Haskell, from the old television series Leave it to Beaver. Julian (or Eddie Haskell from the 50’s) always said and did the right thing in front of parents and teachers, or anyone in authority. He was wealthy, and looked down on and made fun of Auggie. He was in no way sincere or authentic. He was encouraged by his principal to start “seeing people differently.” God looks at people differently, He looks at the heart. II Corinthians 4:18- “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2. Seek someone different from you, also. This morning on K-Love, the advice was to “branch out.” Find someone that doesn’t look the same as you and get to know them. You can grow by moving away from “group think.” Group think is where everyone thinks the same way (as they are influenced by the group). Be unique. God uniquely made you to stand out. Psalm 139:14- “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully-made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” You are wonderful and unique. Do not seek perfection, but uniqueness.
3. Be in the light. This piece of advice was from a high school teacher. He said to “intentionally be in the light.” This was probably the best advice, and one to remember daily. We can have a moment of silence in public schools. It is allowed. Pray. Pray for your day to go well, and for love and kindness to surround the school. Be love and kindness to others, because kindness is strong per mom. Also, carry your Bible to school. You don’t have to be obvious, but it can help you when you might be worried or struggling. Or, maybe obvious is how we should be. Carry verse cards to memorize. Matthew, 5:15-16- “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in Heaven.”