Reaching & Healing the Next Generation/Rashea@LLO2 Academy
Being that I was a youth leader for 6 years when I was in my early 20's... the young people have a special place in my heart, and with God's help and strength... they always will have a special place in my heart. I have always had a passion for teaching, and it just so happens that I still teach, pray with and mentor young people from ages 3-25 and have for at least 20+ years now.
It's work, but it is SO fun. Memories down through the years. Now I see some of those that I've helped mentor, and now they are all grown up with careers and families. WOW! Where did the time go?🙃🤣
Being a youth leader in my 20's was God's will in that season of my life. It's full of experiences and life lessons I utilize in ministry and our vision here at B's Hub this very day. The young people.😂🤣. They keep me young and fun.
Well... they actually give me the freedom to be my mature yet youthful self. I believe we all should keep a little whimsical in us. Grow up but stay fun. Grow up but never lose the creative innocence of the child within us all.
I am writing this blog because I care. I love our young people, and I am concerned about their growth and development as a person. I want them to embrace their individuality with confidence and not timidity or obscurity.
I want them whole and not broken. Our young people go through so much. They really do.👀💭
They deal with peer pressure, family pressures and expectations, social pressures and cultural demands and stigmas. All this while trying to discover their own voice. All this while trying to discover their own purpose. All this while trying to get through their own insecurities and scars.
No. Don't die young. Live on!✊🏾💯
We as adults and mentors have to stop forcing our own agendas on our children and the young people. Too much pressure. Why so much pressure?
I have learned in my own experiences that children, although still growing into their own skin, show us what they are really good at and purposed to do, when we pray and pay attention and nurture them without judgment and harsh criticism. No. They won't always do everything right, but, even as adults, neither do we. Selah.
It's our obligation to not only tell them what to do, but to show them what to do by our own good example. We learn best by example. Hopefully we are being the right example most times than not.👀💭
When we go through stressful moments... How do we handle it? What are our young people beholding? There is a way to deal with life that is helpful and not harmful.
Our young people go through so much. Be the one that listens and not the mouth that condemns. Yes. Correct them when in error, but correct them in love.
Everyone is dealing with life, and depending on the situation or circumstances... we all deal with life differently. We have to be sure we are the hand pulling them out of their despair and not pushing them further into hopelessness. Sometimes, when we vent to harshly... they run further into their pain and curiosity. They hear and feel judgment not sensibility and compassion.
Especially, as Christian's, we must ask God to show us how to be an answer and an anchor to our young people, whether they are ours or not. Let God lead you.
Those who are called to you will gravitate toward you without you ever forcing the issue. When they come... Listen with understanding, correct in love and be willing to learn from the wisdom they themselves carry that we ourselves may lack.
Our young people are not a burden. They are an answer for today, tomorrow and the future. Be a blessing and not a burden to them without harsh judgment.
Rashea@LLO2
