August 5, 2008

My Wild Child


JB is my 'wild child'. I don't mean that she is bad in any sense of the word. I just mean that she marches to her own drum. She is a Vegetarian. She is a Tree Hugger, PETA Supporter, Defender of the Under Dog, Pro-Peace, Anti-War. Artistic, Compassionate, Smart & FIESTY. She is my little hippie. She is also a contradiction. She is flashy and flamboyant and yet Mother Earth all at the same time. She wants to act and be treated like a grown-up and yet she will still wants to climb into my lap like she did when she was a toddler and watch tv. I guess she will always be my baby.

JB has an unusual assortment of friends, too. I think some people are put off by these kids. I am just being honest here. I too was kind of suspicious of them at first. They have multiple piercings, tattoos, wear chains on their pants, wear alot of black clothing and crazy hair. I think maybe in the beginning I was a little afraid of them too. I just wasn't into that 'look'. I didn't understand it. I associated it with a certain type of person, you know...the kind of person you don't want your baby to hang out with. But over the past few years, I have come to love these kids. They are just like everyone else. They want the same things everyone else wants. To be happy, to be loved and to be accepted.

Sometimes I'll come home from working at the church and find them all piled up on my sofa. It is the funniest sight. Here are all these rough and tumble looking kids watching 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' or something like that. What I am trying to say is, these are just kids and if someone is prejudice against them because of what they look like, then they are missing out on an opportunity for a relationship with some really great people.

I worry that people will judge my girl because of how she looks or who she hangs out with. I get all caught up in what people will think of her and I guess, truthfully I am afraid they will judge me too. But when it gets right down to it, we only have one Judge and His name is Jesus. And I know this to be true... Jesus loves all people. He offers salvation to everyone, no matter what they look like or how they dress. And at the end of the day, I want these kids to know that this 'church lady' loves them and so does Jesus. And I want them and my girl to know that they are valued as human beings and deserve to be respected. I know my girl already knows this. I tell her frequently. This post is not for her or her friends. This post is for every 30+ person that might be wary of a teen that looks a little different than what society says is innocence. They might look rough and tough, but they are still just babes watchin' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'. They are just kids, some with experiences and heartaches way beyond their years and through no fault of their own. They are children...our future...don't ever forget it.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

AW! :)