Growing Pains

Today I'm reminded of the emotional "growing pains" I experienced, especially as a teenager.  Watching my grandchildren now dealing with the same age-old situations--I am relegated to share their hurt--not because I am reliving what I experienced--but because my heart is irrevocably attached to them.  In fact, any emotional trauma they suffer is magnified in this grandmother's heart--(Meme as I am known to them).

Heartbreak, struggles with school work, rejection by friends, feelings of inferiority, bullying, arguments with parents--it may all seem like so much drama--but to the young person, struggling to discover who they are and what direction life is taking them---these are serious and sometimes life-altering issues.

Hopefully these "growing pains" will produce strong character and determination to be the best they can be.  A broken heart takes time to heal, but when family and friends bind together to pray for, offer a shoulder to cry on--or just quietly support--things will get better.  Recognizing that the hurt is real and very deep--not dismissively brushing it off, is important.  Looking back, I realize that the "lost" loves that I felt devastated by at the time, were great stepping stones to take me to my wonderful husband--God's true and best choice for me!  Yes, it is true young people--what my Dad always quoted from God's Word:  "Weeping may endure for the night, but Joy comes in the morning."  Patience is hard when you're hurting--it's true.  But the end result will bring JOY.  True and lasting JOY!

As I grew up--one of my worse "growing pains" came about by excessive bullying in my 8th grade year of school.  I can testify today that experience--though extremely hurtful--gave me a determination to be so much more than my bully saw.

Writing this today in reflection over my past "hurts"/"growing pains"--I do realize that even at my age I am still having "growing pains".  Growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is an ongoing process.  I certainly haven't arrived.  I John 3:2-3 states:  "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.  And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."  (NASB)  What a thought--to be like Jesus.  I obviously have a lot more "growing" to do--praying for the grace to take the "pain".

So, today--what's my main point?  Love, protect, shower with good example and advice those teens and young adults around you.  They have REAL emotional pain and are often suffering as they struggle with life's disappointments, making right choices, and moving past hurts.  Encourage them, let them know you're there for them, and above all, PRAY FOR THEM!!!!