Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Pondering.....

I have been pondering and talking and praying about the following:

Why is it that by raising your daughters to be mature and godly young women, they are the "odd ones out" at church. They have been involved in ministry opportunities, bible study, etc.. and yet no one will talk with them. Adults who have interacted with them are impressed with them and yet don't follow up by speaking to them on Sundays, and the younger people completely ignore them.

It hurts my heart because they should not be odd balls at CHURCH! They should be the norm.

Any thoughts?

11 comments:

  1. Such a sad state of affairs our churches are in. Wish I knew the answers.

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  2. We are not of the world...however so many people in churches think that there is nothing wrong with thinking and acting as the world acts. I am so sorry that you are experiencing this.

    Your girls are so delightful and refreshing. You are doing a wonderful job in raising them. You know you would be more than welcome in our congregation...sorry...had to say it. I love you guys and all of your children. My heart aches for you!!!!
    If it helps at all, I was raised in a very conservative, legalistic church and was called all kinds of names at school because I only wore dresses, etc. It made me a stronger person. I did not struggle with tobacco or alcohol or any of those things because I already knew how to resist peer pressure.
    Sigh....
    Becky K.

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  3. I was a PK (preacher's kid) my entire life. During my teen years, I did not have many friends. I learned later on that many were involved in things that did not bring honor to God. These children shunned me because if they befriended me, their doings might get back to their parents or my father. It is difficult, I know. Pray that God will bring children of "like mind" into their lives. Maybe God is protecting your children and this situation is a blessing in disguise. As they grow older, they will develop life long friendships. Have you ever thought of your children starting a blog? I've come across blogs of Christian teens and your children might be able to form some friendships. You have a beautiful family. Often non-Christians act more like Christians than Christians do!!! Keep up the good work. God will bless you for it! At 44 (almost 45) I am very selective in my close friendships. But God has brought some very dear people into my life, as well as my children's lives, that we would not change for the world!

    God bless you all,
    Ruth, PA

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  4. Press on..keep doing the right thing, Swim upstream this is happening EVERYWHERE. The frustration many of us have as women just wanting to be Godly women in dress, demeanor, and lifestyle is not popular even in some of the most conservative churches. I sense your frustration as I share it and your concern too. I read like minded blogs and believe it or not that HELPS so much.
    I read from women on line that wish there were titus 2 women out there...there are,,,but they women in churches are all working so no one wants to listen.
    Just keep doing it.Just keep doing it. It will be worth it.
    I pray this for ALL of us who dare to be different because of the Lord, not to call attention to ourselves but to be a reflection of what the Lord wants in HIS WORD.
    Deby

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  5. I've tried to type all kinds of thoughts, encouragement and suggestions, then deleted each time.

    I'll pray, instead.

    And hold you and yours close in my heart.

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  6. We have been there, you know that.

    Your daughters are a JOY!!!

    And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
    Galatians 6:9

    For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
    Deuteronomy 7:6

    Come visit Sonrise Christian Fellowship. They are reformed but not pushy. :) And I am charismatic...figure that one out. :)

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  7. Thank you all for you kind words of encouragement!

    We are following a path with our family that we believe is right, one that God has put on our hearts for OUR family.

    There are many like minded families out there, we personally know several and they are such a blessing to our family! But church is an issue for us, as our girls get older.

    Our church family has a right heart, it's just that we believe they are going about it in a non-biblical way.

    Thanks for your prayers Lady Jane, it blesses me more than you can know! And Bee, thanks for you heart and love for my girls, you too Becky!

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  8. In what ways is your church going about things in a non-biblical way?
    If this is an issue I don't think that this is an outlet to share. What if someone from your church reads this and is offended or if the leadership visits here? This isn't the way they would want to hear about something that may or may not be happening in the body. This is a fine line here and I would be very careful about the possibility of dishonoring your leaders.

    As for the other issue, I don't wholeheartedly agree with all the comments posted here so I will just keep them to myself. Someday maybe...

    "Grandpa, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

    "I wanted to be a farmer!"

    "What will I be when I grow up?"

    "You will be whatever the Lord lays on your heart, son. I can't tell you or make your choices for you. This is between you and the Lord!"

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  9. What I mean by non biblical is that our church's ministry focus is the next generation which they are "aggressively" pursuing through children's ministry, youth ministry and young adult ministry. These are their exact words. Those are all "good" things. From a biblical perspective, God works through the heads of the household down to all members of a family - That is what I meant by non biblical.

    I know these dear people, they want people to come to Christ, I am not trying to disrespect them in any way. I am saying that I disagree, with the methodology.

    And my original purpose in writing this post was to talk about the fact that because my daughters don't fit into the youth and because they are not adults yet, no one notices them and makes an effort to talk with them.

    That makes me sad for them. Everywhere else in their lives, co-op, work etc...they are appreciated and people acknowledge their existence. So it is hurtful for them to go to church and be ignored, like they are invisible people.

    That was all I was trying to say.

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  10. Praying...this is hard.

    We loved having you guys over last evening!!!!

    Becky K.

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  11. My girls are in the same situation. They are friendly and the adults talk to them...but for the most part, they are igored by the other teen-agers! Tis Sad.

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