Finding My Place at the Lunch Table

You cannot share what you do not own.  Sounds pretty simple, right?  I have had the privilege to share my passions and faith with young people for quite a few years. Recently, I was sharing and I asked the group of teens to remember when they had decided to follow Christ.  My husband and I have asked this question many times in the past to different groups of youth.   It causes us who grew up in church to examine ourselves for that point when it was no longer our parents or grandparents faith but our own.  It was the time when we were not riding on the coat tails of someone else’s belief, but with unwavering resolve said, “This is mine!” 

That point came in my life when I was about twelve.  I remember being in middle school and trying to fit in.  Everyday at lunch I would sit with different groups that segregated themselves.  At that time you had the jocks and cheerleaders, the head-bangers, the preps, etc.  I would spend time at each table trying to see where I fit.  I grew very weary in my search for friends and a place.  In my weariness I spoke in my heart, “I don’t fit anywhere”.  The Lord gave me a quick response and said, “Your not suppose to.”  That was my call.   Was I going to continue to wander looking for acceptance, or own the fact that I was already accepted by the Lord Himself?  My middle school years were very lonely, but I look back at that time of my life as one of the best times where it was just me and God.

I heard a sad story of someone who grew up in a Christian home, even traveled across the globe on a mission’s trip, yet later questioned His existence.  Did they even own their faith to begin with?  Only they can answer that.  I want to challenge young people and parents to own their faith for the furtherance of the gospel.  How will they know unless we tell them?  How can we share if it is not our own?

As parents it’s important that we partner with our children in their faith, encouraging them as they maneuver through life until they ultimately choose God for themselves. As we teach our children about faith and implement godly principles, those principles will stand against mainstream thinking. It is import that we are vigilant and are playing an active role in their lives through communication and prayer. It is these reinforcements that will guide them through those seasons of trying to find a place to sit at lunch. They are made on purpose, for a purpose.

God doesn’t intend for your child to be like everybody else. He already had everybody else when He made them. There’s something unique in your child. Something special. Significant. God has a calling on their life. There are exceptional abilities that only they have. – Steven Furtick

Train up your children in their strengths and they will discover the purpose for which they were created. And when they grow up, they will not depart from it. (Hebrew translation of Proverbs 22:6)