FIGHTING AGAINST "Typical Teens" A challenge for y'all

Have you ever went up to someone and introduced yourself and the person refused to talk unlessed you pressed them? Was this person a unscociable teenager? Or perhaps YOU are that unsociable teen. Your excuse is "I'm just a shy person". That may be. But, if your "symptoms" of shy consist of only socializing with people you know or people in your age group, then YOU AREN'T SHY! YOU'RE UNSOCIABLE! If you are shy, it doesn't mean you're "unsociable" it just means that you get rather nervous and timid around other people. Irrelevant to their age.

One of the biggest things teens are known for is being unsociable. That's the "norm". It's just a "natural phase teens go through." I'm sorry, but you're wrong. We aren't born this way, there isn't something wrong with us, it's not a "normal stage" that everyone goes through. This is just another one of those lies that our culture has developed. Lovely, eh? This isn't a normal thing this is an abnormal thing.

Another lie is there is no such word as "Teenager". We, as Christians shouldn't be known as "teenagers" irrelevant if we are in our TEEN YEARS. We should be known as young men and women; young adults. Why? Because the word "teenager" is something used for a typical, wordly person who's in their "teen years" (a.k.a Teenager). WE ARE NOT TEENAGERS! Or at least we SHOULDN'T BE. We are only known as "teens" if we are just like every other person from the age of 13-19 in the world! Before I move on with this (the post isn't about whether we're teens or not) I want to ask you, are you living for Christ? When people meet you and look at you in this world do they see Christ in you? Do they go, "Wow that's a very mature young man/woman"?

NOTE: The rest of this post I will be referring to us as the way the world knows us, "teens". But, as I go on with this series I will refer to us as we really are, "young men/women" "young adults". I expect you to know what I'm talking about. When I say young adults I mean us in comparison with teens in the world ok?

We as teens should be more capable to talk to adults in a respectful, mature way, realizing our place. We should be capable to talk to our piers, while still acting like young adults. You don't wanna be a hypocrite. On the one hand, you do have more lee-way with your piers then with adults. But, your maturity level doesn't need to drop. Sometimes we get giggly and silly, perhaps too silly but just remember there's still an invisible line you may not cross. There are some subjects in which you should talk with your parents only, or family only. There are some things that one friend tells you that you need not reveal to another friend for that would be gossiping, right? We as teens should be capable of socializing with little kids. (including infants) You may think I'm being rediculous, but I'm not. I'm perfectly serious, with absolutely no hint of non-sense.

How do we relate to infants? They can't talk back, idiot! Yeah, I know. But, if you are baby sitting an infant you need to talk to the baby. Make silly faces and try to make the baby smile. Play rock-a-bye baby, and peek-a-booh. (Keep in mind age appropriate games. You wouldn't want to play "rock-a-bye baby with a new born. Their brains would shake, and it's not good for them.) Talk to the baby. I have THE CUTEST BABY COUSIN EVVVVVVARRR! His name is Jeremiah! He is soooo chubby and sooo cute! He has the bluest eyes you've ever seen! A cute bald head..and a smile that makes you go, "awwwww" every time he gives it to you! Whenever I see him I take time to spend with him and talk to him so he knows my voice.

Me: HI JEREMIAH! How's my baby cousin!? Is he good!? Does he have a cwean (clean) dipper on?

Jeremiah: Smiles

Me: I WUV MY COOT BABY COUSIN! HE'S SO HANDSOME!!

Jeremiah: Wiggles his hands and feet and gets excited

(I made this up btw..but it's similar to what I say and stuff haha)

Jeremiah will immatate the way you say, "HIIIIII" to him. He coo's a lot and smiles a lot and giggles. He's only 4 months too! He's the happiest baby you'd ever see!

That's how you "socialize" with infants. They love to hear your voice, to receive kisses and gentle hugs. They also love to give you dirty diapers to change! Haha! AND THEY LOOOVVVE-A-MAMMA'S MILK!!

It gets easier to "socialize" with little kids as they get older. My brother Jonah(5), and sister Jami(3) loves it when i play games with them. They also like to tell me things. Anything that comes to mind. Though it may not make sense to you, or sound "intellectual" they're very smart. They're human beings like you and I and they have thoughts and feelings. So, next time you see a little kid running around after church or at a party you happen to be at, go up to them and talk to them. Ask them what kind of games they like to play. Ask them how old they are, what their name is, who their parents are, what their favorite dinner is. Anything. You'd be surprised at the answers you'd get. Especially the ones that make you laugh. (Only, don't laugh. Save that for later. They like it if you treat them as if you're on the same level as them. If you can't do that, then BRING YOURSELF DOWN to THEIR level. You'd be surprised at how fast they'll tie you to their heart, love you, and trust you.)

When I say "socialize" I don't mean you have to make infants and little kids your best friends, I just want you to understand and know HOW to do this for when the time arises. Next time you baby sit a bunch of kids and/or an infant you'll know how to act around them. How do you expect to be able to talk to ANYONE if you ONLY EVER socalize with people IN YOUR AGE GROUP, and that YOU KNOW.

The reason I say we should be most capable to do all these, is because we are YOUNG ADULTS. We should by now, be mature enough to handle talking to a fellow human being irrelevant the age, or gender.

That's the other thing you should (boy or girl) be able to talk to the opposite gender. "Oh yeah I can totally do that! No problem!" Ok, then you shouldn't be a guy and talk about gross, scary, bloody, gory things to a girl. Girls aren't USUALLY into those type of things. You also shouldn't be drueling over the person because you've never ever ever ever socialized with anyone but YOUR gender (and perhaps your mom and sister(s) before so..WOW I'VE NEVER SEEN (ok..I'm over exaggerating here a bit..bear with me) the opposite gender! If you as a girl, are going to talk to a guy, it should ALWAYS be in a sisterly/brotherly type of way. And you (boy or gal) shouldn't talk about provocative things that will tempt the other person. The only time you won't have to talk in a "sisterly brotherly" way to the opposite gender is when you are A) courting (but even then you must be cautious) B)it's your spouse!

We have learned from our parents how to be mature men and women and to show it through our speech and who and how we socalize with other men and women. We know when a conversation is heading towards gossip, how to respectfully, and maturely change the subject. We know how to go up to an adult and introduce ourselves and to make conversation with them. We know how to gently, and in love rebuke a friend. We know how to treat little kids and keep them entertained. We know that a soft answer turns away wrath. (Prv 15:1) We know that our speech should be gracious, and seasoned with salt. (Col 4:6)

Last but not least, TALK TO YOUR PARENTS! You are NOT an average teen only able to talk with piers, and who despise being seen in public with their parents! NO SIREE! You are truly a typical teen if this is the case. God gave you your parents to protect you, to provide for you until you as a man are able to do so yourself, or as a women have a husband to provide for you. They are there to teach you about God, and to raise you to live for CHRIST and to be prepared to face the battles of Satan, sin, flesh, and the world! They are preparing you with proper armor you need to fight the good fight. PARENTS ARE A BLESSING! They have wisdom that you do not. They know more then you do about life, for they have experienced more and have lived LONGER then you!

I'm leaving you with a challenge. When you are met with a chance, go up to at least 3 people this week. 1 has to be an adult, the other a pier, the last a little kid. I want you to talk to your parents. Be open to them about your struggles, fears, dreams, accomplishments, goals, etc.

The challenge doesn't end there. I want you to embrace maturity, be the mature young man or woman that God wants you to be. That your parents want you to be. Declare yourself a Young adult, not a typical teen. Live for Christ, and Christ only. So that when others come along side you, they have to look for Christ in you to find you. Hopefully that makes sense.

This is the only time I'd use "rebel". I HATE that word. It usually means something bad. But, in this case it's good. We're rebels in this world. Why? Because we're CHRISTIANS. We live for CHRIST, NOT THE WAYS OF MAN, not for the pleasures in life, not for Satan and his demons, not for our flesh, not for sin, not for our family, not for our friends, but for our Almighty God who gave us life!

Here's to going against the flow, here's to going against the "norm", here's to being mature young adults,

~Lissie Darcy