1P33

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

Sunday night, January 9th, was a night I have been waiting awhile for. About three months ago, God called me to start a mentoring program for 7th and 8th grade girls. In the bible there are many verses about the older woman bringing up the younger but in our world today that is the last thing on young girl’s minds.

The past two Sundays I have been going back to Jr. High service to be around these girls, and sit in with the 7th grade girls during small group time. Honestly these past two Sundays I was intimated by these girls. The first Sunday I sat in the front row by myself and worshiped my heart out, just me and Jesus. I had this fear that built up inside of me that first Sunday and the enemy loved trying to use that against me. After sitting by myself, God opened my eyes to the fact that some girls feel this way every single time they walk in the gym on Sunday morning. Before I felt God leading me to Jr. High I would teach a five year old class on Sunday mornings. I realize that being with little kids was never scary; I could have conversations with these kids for hours and make them feel comfortable in the classroom. Jr. High girls are totally out of my comfort zone but I know this is where God is calling me to be. After only going for two Sundays so far, it breaks my heart to see the separations and cliques built up. I saw girls be excluded because they were different in the eyes of the other “Christians.” They look at each other and see the outward appearance, when I pray that they can eventually see the heart the way God does.

Sunday night we kicked off the 1P33 first event, praying that it isn’t just an event but a movement to build some life changing relationships. This is a program that will challenge the girls in their walk with God and also challenge them to unite as a body of believers. Before the event everyone was getting anxious and we had no idea what to expect. We all got together before, prayed, and gave everything to God. After I personally gave everything to Him, I had so much peace and I knew everything was going to go just the way He wanted it too. God calmed my heart and give me boldness to love on these girls with no fear. As the girls started to flood into the music room, they each received a name tag with a color on it. This color represented what small group they would be in and who their leaders would be. I knew that there would be a group of girls trying to persuade me to give them and their “best friend” the same color. I said no and told them tonight was a night to meet new people and branch out. After the small group time we had a panel of 9 high school and college age girls, besides me, that were willing to be open and honest with these girls. I asked the Jr. High girls to take an index card and right down any question that they wanted an answer to, and they could put them in the question box anonymously. Reading through some of these questions broke my heart. Most of the questions ended with “can you please help me?” It was a desperate call for help that hit something inside of me that wanted to do everything in my power to help. I think my favorite part of this night was afterwards, we ran out of time to answer all of the questions but when I dismissed the girls I told them that we were going to stick around afterwards and that they could talk with any of us more if they felt comfortable with it. I stood back and watched one by one, as the 7th and 8th graders sought out the leaders that they wanted to talk to. I saw them open up and ask the hard questions that they needed answers too. I couldn’t help but smile and thank God. They trusted us enough to spill their hearts and fears with a group of girls who were strangers an hour and half before. This is only one thing that God can do. God has given me such an unbelievable love for these girls, I told them that I don’t even know all of them yet but I love them and they have a story that needs to be heard. It turns out 22 young girls showed up on Sunday night and I know this is going to grow. I can’t wait to see where God takes this ministry, and these girls. This is going to challenge the leaders as much as the young girls but God’s got this. I know all of us are extremely excited for this journey.

I ask whoever is reading this to keep this ministry, and all of us, in your prayers because we can always use it.