The Respect Dare: Day 3

(feeling a little lost? See what this is all about)

Parents have a lot of responsibilities--more than we really grasp.

Just take a minute to imagine that you suddenly were kicked out of the house and told to fend for yourself--make a mental list of everything you'd have to think about. What would you eat? What would you wear? Where would you live? Get an education? Get a job? Would you have insurance? How would you get around? When would you take care of your house?

And then, imagine you were given a kid, and told that this human being was now yours--their future in the world was now your responsibility (on top of all those other things).

Yeah. And you thought school was stressful.

Your parents already have enough stress to drain their strength.

Proverbs 17:22 says, "A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength."

Be good medicine today--have a happy heart :) As you do what your parents tell you to (day 1) without complaining or arguing (day 2), obey with a cheerful spirit and a smile. As one of the youth pastors at my church likes to say, when your parents ask you to do something, respond with "I'd love to!"--and don't be sarcastic about it.

Now, don't be cheesy or overdo this one. Be real about it. Take it seriously. And even if your parents don't cheer up right away--even if they don't seem to notice!--don't get discouraged. After all, medicine doesn't always work right away. Sometimes it takes time.

Some of you may be thinking, "Okay, my parents don't seem stressed. At all. In fact, they seem pretty cheerful." And that's great! I've been there, too. And that's all the more reason to be cheerful with them.

PS: A fun way to remember this one is to draw a little smilie face on your hand! :)

The Respect Dare: Day 2

(feeling a little lost? See what this is all about)

Philippians 2:14 says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing."

It's a simple enough command. But is it easy in practice? No. Not when your parents tell you to clean your room, and you like it the way it is. Not when your parents tell you to stay home and do homework instead of going to see a movie with your friends. Complaining and arguing--as teenagers, we make those two things our defining characteristics in moments of trouble.

So, here's your dare today: as you obey your parents in everything they tell you (continuing your dare from day 1), stay away from complaining or arguing. Hold your tongue.

The Respect Dare: Day 1

(feeling a little lost? See what this is all about)

Our theme verse for this study is Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord."

It would be immensely helpful for you if, throughout our study, you worked to memorize this verse. Today, write the verse on your hand, write it on your mirror, put it on a sticky note on your calendar--whatever it takes to bring this verse to your attention.

One of my favorite quotes (albeit by non-Christian Kurt Vonnegut) is "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." This dare is about becoming someone who obeys and respects their parents, regardless of whether you feel respect for them or not.

Today, do whatever your parents tell you to. (minus anything illegal or immoral)

Yes, you read that right.

Remember our verse: "Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord." We often feel that we have to prove that we are independent--our own person--by fighting back or disobeying our parents (either to their face or when they're not looking).

Don't do that.

Even if you don't feel like it, even if you argue and fight today, do what they tell you. Obedience makes you your own person--you become a person of character, a person who follows God.

The Respect Dare (based on The Love Dare)

Just yesterday, I watched the movie Fireproof. Its powerful message of love and faithfulness inspired me, even though I'm currently single (if you haven't seen the movie yet, I highly recommend it).

Fireproof inspired me to become more intentional in my relationships with my parents and my little brother. Nevertheless, intentional by itself isn't enough. A plan of action (such as the Love Dare) helps measure progress.

That's why I've decided to start a series for teens based on The Love Dare (note: these are in no was affiliated with or endorsed by Fireproof, The Love Dare, or anybody associated with Fireproof or The Love Dare.)

It's called the Respect Dare, which is to help you with your parents. This dare is based off Colossians 3:20, which says "Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord." (NCV)

I highly recommend you watch Fireproof before starting, and I also recommend that you pray for at least three days and find out whether this is an area God would have you work on. If there's something else He's laid on your heart, then you need to follow that first.

For those of you doing this with me, welcome! We're going to have an exciting time.

Are you ready?

PS: The dares won't necessarily be posted each day--just work on whichever dare is the current day until the next one is posted :)

Truly a still, small voice

As you may guess from my recent posts, I've been thinking a lot about learning to hear God's voice. It's something He's been teaching me lately.

I'd always assumed that the reason people called the voice of God a "still, small voice" was because it's inaudible and inside your heart (or head, whichever you prefer). But I only recently realized that the voice really is still and small compared to the other voices I hear...almost like He's testing to see how closely I pay attention to Him.

For example, I tend to get carried away by emotions. I think most of us teenage girls do. But God's voice isn't a strong emotion--in fact, it sometimes runs contrary to my emotions! (usually when I need an attitude change) And it's quieter than my emotions. I have to be paying attention and desiring to hear His voice.

And God's voice isn't a loud voice. I've heard incorrect--and contradicting--things from "loud" voices in my head (not literal voices; they're more like strong emotions that are really easy to translate into strong words). But God's voice isn't like that.

God's voice just comes. It doesn't need prompting or figuring it out. It's either there or it isn't.

So now, instead of talking to God and then gauging my emotions or trying to figure out what He's saying, I just talk and then relax--knowing He's God and He'll guide me or answer me in His ways and His timing.

Now, I'm just speaking from my very limited and flawed experience. I'm still learning. I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments section, since this is a topic that I'm still growing in and I'm sure every Christian could grow in more.

That is, until we see Him face-to-face...

What a wonderful thought :)