Walk with Them

Just this week, I met with a student whose dad is dying of cancer. This is something that no 13 year old boy should have to deal with. After all, being 13 is difficult enough. This day in age is the hardest it's ever been for middle school students. On top of dealing with peer pressure, popularity, puberty, and sexual issues, they are faced with family deaths, parental divorces, single parent homes, illnesses, violence, abuse, and the list goes on. My heart goes out to them, but my mind keeps going back to how vital it is for every student to have an adult to walk through the teen years with. Someone who is not their parent. Someone who will listen. Someone who will care. Someone who will be there. Someone who loves them with the love of Jesus. If not, who will be there through the tough times? And most importantly, how will they respond to death, divorce, and illness? In my ministry, it is our goal to make sure that each student has an adult they can turn to. Someone to walk through life with. While we have not completely accomplished our goal, I love watching students form relationships with adults who care. It is happening in our ministry and we are looking for more of it. This particular boy whose dad is dying didn't have that person in his life, but his mom pursued one. Does your middle school student have that? If not, I strongly suggest you find someone. It can make all the difference.