Leading a Younger Generation

Hello Lovelies!

Okay I am so thankful for you guys ohmygoodness. I thought that MAYBE 40 people would read this blog, but so far, over 400 people have viewed it! So thank you so much. You all are so adorable.

So today I want to talk about being a role model for a younger generation. Not all of you have younger siblings, but there is, no doubt, someone younger that you in your life that looks up to you. 

That in and of itself is a HUGE responsibility. 

When I was little, I thought my older cousin was the coolest person ever. I wanted to dress like her, talk like her, and act like her. To me, she embodied what a woman should be like. She was kind, funny, pretty, and smart, and of course I thought I was really grown up and special when she would hang out with me. 

Now that I am older, I have the opportunity to be a role model to kids I babysit and the girls in a small group I help lead. 

I have to admit, it’s not always easy. 

It feels like you are being watched by the paparazzi, and that isn’t as flattering as I expected. 

The thing is, I sometimes feel like I have to be perfect to be a good role model to these kids. But that’s not what they need. They don’t need me to always be right, or always choose the best outcome. The need to see Jesus in me. They need to see how I used to be, and how I have been transformed by God’s grace.  If we act perfect, we show the children who look up to us that God wants us to be perfect, when that is not true. As I continue to mentor younger kids, I see that the best thing I can do is to be honest and real with my faith. We have to be able to admit our mistakes to the ones who look up to us, or they will believe that it is okay to just ignore mistakes and not take responsibilities for our actions. 

I know I don’t want the girls in my small group to make the same mistakes I have, so that’s why I tell them about about them. 

I don’t want them to fall for the same lies I have, so that’s why I tell them how I have.

These kids in your life that look up to you see you as amazing in their eyes already. You don’t need to impress them for them to like you.

That’s what so awesome about these opportunities. 

By being a role model, you are pushed to become a better Christian so that you can better mentor these children. When I am weak in my faith, I am reminded that there are girls in my small group that look up to me to make the right decisions. It gives me an extra push in my relationship with God.

I want to encourage all of you to think about who in your life looks up to you. 

Are you being a good ambassador for your faith?

Let me know if there is anything that I can be doing better, as well as anything that I can be praying about for all of you!

In Christ, 

Jackie

Drive-Thru Evangelism

Hey everybody!
Sorry I haven't posted, I couldn't get into my account for the past couple weeks, and I was (needless to say) very upset.
I hope you all are doing well :)

So I wanted to show you guys this video I saw last night.
Paying for People's Drive Thru

I love this video! It think it really shows what we should be embodying as the hands and feet of Jesus.    And to think, that was all they had to do. Pay for someone's maybe $5 meal. That's all it took to show the radical love of God. When I think about it, I wonder how many times I have passed up opportunities because they might cost me time, money, or comfort. Of course, the problem with that is, God never EVER called us to be COMFORTABLE. There is no verse in the Gospel that says "Go unto all the world and live a comfortable life." God calls us to live radically for him. When was the last time you heard of radical and comfortable describing the same thing? They are actually opposites. If we live lives as "comfortable Christians", we are telling God that he just isn't important enough to go outside our comfort zone.
Now, I'm not saying you have to pay for someone's meal every time you go through the drive-thru.

But what if we did?

For one, I'd probably be skinnier... along with my wallet. However, imagine the radical change that would ensue because I went just a little bit out of my self-oriented comfort zone! That sounds pretty crazy.
I'd like to let you know, dear reader, that I am making this decision as I write.
I'm going to kick myself for this in a week or so.. but I'm gonna do it.

I will pay for someone else's order every time I go through the drive-thru.

So maybe I spend $50 extra dollars a month. That sounds like a pretty low price to show the love of God, considering all he did for me.

I want to encourage all of you to do something radical tomorrow, or in this next week. It doesn't have to be big to make a big impact. Be RADICAL, as Christ calls us to be.

In Christ,
Jackie