Last night we had to discuss the topic of "respect" in youth group. Ugh!! Not the most fun topic to discuss with teenagers. But it seemed it need to be discussed nonetheless. For the most part it was well received. But unfortunately we had few that seemed oblivious and could have cared less what we were saying, we could have had 6 heads and shot fire out of our mouth and it would have not made a difference. Sigh!

So on our ride home from Wed. night church activities. The van is always full of conversation of how the night went. (keep in mind I always keep confidential what kids share with me in my group). My oldest pointed out that some of the kids were very disrespectful during our talk about "respect." I said, "I know!! I'm so frustrated! I'm not sure how to handle it."

Then the little voice from the peanut gallery spoke up from the back of the van (my youngest), she shared a story she read in her awana book that night. It was about a boy who pulled a girls hair and this little girl was having a hard time loving this boy who was always causing trouble. So I asked, "How did she handle this little boy?" She then read 1 John 4:10-11: "This is love; Not that we loved God, But that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear Friends, Since God so loved us, We also ought to love one another."

My youngest added, " it's simple mom...you just have to love them...even when they aren't nice."

Wait...who's the parent here?? Who's teaching who?? Thanks kiddo for the reminder. Love at ALL times!!

Another chapter to add to my book of lessons I learned from my kids.