Today, many adults see teenagers in negative ways, and sometimes that’s justified. 

But I want to be more like them.

Because they are honest, they haven’t developed a false self to hide behind like many adults. They are open to the challenge to love others. Sure they are selfish in some ways like you and I, but they admit it. 

If God speaks to them, they will respond. 

For over a decade, my wife and I were Youth Leaders/Pastors.

I’ve been in a church van on Pike’s Peak, hiding in a tree at a campground at 2 am, up all night laughing so hard I could barely breathe, praying in a hospital waiting room, crying at a funeral, speaking at a school, in the middle of a creek looking for a cell phone, and many other crazy places with teenagers. 

Not to mention so many graduations I have lost track.

Thousands of lessons, thousands of hours of prayer, hard work, and fun.

Hundreds of young lives.

Some nights we had more teenagers in our meeting than the church had in the main service. Other nights we had just a handful and the overall numbers didn’t matter to us.

Some mornings I will wake up thinking about one of the teenagers we were blessed to know. I always remember something unique about them and take it as a cue to pray for them.

If over the years we hear that one of them is doing well, we celebrate. If we hear one is hurting, we hurt.

Some of them are now in ministry, some may be strung out on drugs at this very moment. Some are mothers or fathers with children of their own. Most of them we haven’t seen in years. But, we are thankful that God allowed us to be a part of their lives, each one was created in His image.

It was frustrating, exhilarating, exhausting and rewarding. And we loved each one of them. 

We still do.

If you have teens in your life, reach out to them, encourage them. Adolescence is a difficult time for many. Those teens around you could use a trustworthy adult in their life.

If you are a teen, find adults you can trust to talk with. You may not need them at this moment, but you may want someone to listen and encourage you in the future.

And no matter your age, be like some of the amazing young people I’ve known. 

Be open and honest with God. 

He’ll take it from there.

-Tom Wise