The Other Side of the Screen

First, I want to start by saying I know this doesn't fit the "typical" mold of a Christian blog.  If you choose to remove this blog from your community, I understand.  However, I feel you would be doing a huge disservice to someone who might can benefit from this.  I love God with all of my heart.  I am committed to living out loud for Him and carrying out His will & call for my life.  One of which is my cry for our younger generation.  Along with a host of statistical information on the influence social media has on teenagers, I also have first-hand experience.  This issue is dear to me not just for my two teenagers but for the many teenagers I see who sadly fall victim to the grips of social media drama and misguidance.  I pray you would follow me on this journey and spread the word.  If you have teenagers, get involved with their lives.  Be aware and knowledgeable of their activities on devices.  God bless!

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) Direct your children onto the right path,

and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Okay, so occasionally I'll get on my soapbox and rant about something...well the time has come again. Mothers...please don't think that by giving your daughters liberty and freedom that you are building bonds, instilling responsibility, and trust. Because nine times out of ten, you're not! Instead, you're enabling a breeding ground of trouble and a whole lot of drama! I am the mother of a 14 yr old (girl) and guardian to my 14 yr old sister-in-law. They are at the age where they think they know more and are smarter than their parents! Some people reading this may think it's not that serious...but that's why females are out there doing everything under the sun now...because "it's not that serious!"

I'm going to have access to ALL accounts (well right now neither has any social media accounts except Polyvore). I'm going to monitor their websites. Riddle them with "21" questions. Yes, I'm going to be that nosy parent! Why? Because they're teenagers! They don't qualify to have business! I can't keep them from everything. There will obviously be things they will have to experience for themselves in order to effectively learn a lesson. However, as a parent, God has given me a charge to raise them right...and I intend on doing that. They will have fun. They will be able to participate in events, go places, experience the teenage life...But I refuse to just think and believe that they got this on their own.

Psalm 127: 3-5 (NLT) Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Why did I say all of this? Because for one, I was that girl...the one who didn't receive the proper guidance about life and instead let life teach me. I was the one trying to follow ways I thought were right only to end up being so wrong. My husband and I have had to experience some rough situations with our girls...in efforts to get them to see that we see what's up the road they're trying to go down. I see foolery all the time on social media promoting this and that...they do it for attention, but that's not what's being interpreted by these girls out here watching this stuff. They out trying to mimic every detail of what they see. They obliviously place themselves in dangerous situations because there's no guidance.

Luke 10:34-35 (NCV)  Your eye is a light for the body. When your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But when your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. 35 So be careful not to let the light in you become darkness.

Please understand that I am 100% aware that I can't and won't be able to keep my kids from everything. However, as long as I know I'm doing my due diligence, hopefully it will pay off when they become adults. This is geared to the mothers because we are where it starts with our girls. Warped women raise warped girls if we don't get it together with us first! Be in their business with "love" as your guide! Be blessed!!

*****TO THE YOUNG LADIES*****

So how does God see you? 

Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) "Even as [in His love] He chose you [actually picked you out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that you should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love." (emphasis & word replacement mine)