Gods got our teens in His Hands

“One of the best ways to persuade others is with our ears, by listening with them” Dean Rusk

I was a teenager growing up in South Africa over forty years ago. Raised in a single parent home, with a brother who I loved, but fought with often during the teen years was tough. (we shared a small room). However, my sweet mother kept us both on the straight and narrow, teaching us to work hard at school, unquestionable discipline, and respect, that in my opinion, paid off for me in later years. We learned the value of sacrifices and hard work (that does pay off).  Btw, we only had two hours of TV per night growing up, so there was plenty of spare time to do household chores, reading and homework…

I also grew up for the most part without my father in my life, and later without a cell phone, the internet, and therefore no social media. What a difference to today where kids get phones way too early, become seemingly obsessed with all the vices and temptations that await them there, in the depths of online dark places like TikTok. It’s no wonder teens sleep three hours less per night than they did a generation ago and take much longer to become literate.  I incidentally also have a teenager at home. The life of a teen in America is so different from forty years ago in South Africa. It’s a challenge for both teen and parent, I will quickly admit, connecting with Gen-Z’er’s that are easily swayed by peer pressure, their self-worth & identity, and the distractions & temptations of this often-grungy unwholesome free-thinking culture.

As LHCC engages the entire family, teens have stuck around longer after elementary school, due to their mothers who bring them to our program with their younger siblings. Parents naturally expect them to keep learning and participate in social gatherings. We try hard to ban phone use and encourage social connections instead. Just like the 80’s for me. This past weekend, LHCC held our first teen retreat. Boys and girls were convened separately, while moms enjoyed food, fellowship and sharing war stories about child-raising. We talked with teens about expectations, home life, leadership and being role models as older siblings, and to envision what it would take to walk across a graduation stage someday, and the attributes they would need to learn to accomplish this kind of goal. We also listened and learned from them. We discussed temptations, the importance of choosing wholesome friends, being role models and boundaries with technology, phones, and dealings with members of the opposite sex.

Speaking of role models, this is a great opportunity to give a shout out to LHCC volunteer gentlemen Mr. Tom, Mr. Jonathan, Mr. Dan, Mr Jeff, and Pranav who have connected consistently with our teen boys, to guide them through this sometimes-awkward stage in their lives. Thank you for your role in molding and shaping these young men, as well as the women who pour into our young ladies.

I wonder whether parents will see the seeds that were planted this past weekend. There will of course be more retreats and more listening to be had in the coming months. LHCC is grooming our young leaders to be junior interns for the upcoming LHCC summer Camps. With God’s help, everyone can play a role in raising up responsible students and future leaders according to God’s design, by planting seeds and praying for a harvest in the near future. At LHCC, I like to believe that all kids are our kids.

As Martin Luther King so eloquently stated “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”. Our teens matter, as do all children. Please join me in praying for the wellbeing of all our teens, for a hedge of protection against the forces of evil that permeate all our lives to varying degrees. We have stories of incarceration and young adults having made very poor choices that have left some families devastated in shame, and others experiencing grief with the unfortunate loss of another precious life to gun violence.

I close with a promise from the Word of God. “Greater is He who is in me that he that is in the world” ~ 1 John 4:4

Thanks for reading. If you are interested in volunteering or coming alongside a teen as a teen mentor, please email me at info@lhcclt.org. We’re always in need of additional kind-hearted caring men and women who know the importance of sharing wisdom and experience, and encouraging teens on their journey.

Brent Morris, Executive Director LHCC

May 1, 2023