Okay, Okay... I know I have spent the past couple of posts talking about dating and its negatives and I hate to sound like an anti- dating tyrant but something happened over the weekend that just re- stirred my emotions on this topic.This weekend while eating dinner at a very popular restaurant, I had a very heart breaking conversation with the young lady who was my server.
This young girl was very strikingly beautiful with personality to match and I almost choked on my drink when she stated that she was only 17, a high school senior taking a full load of honors classes, working 40hrs/week and had just been accepted into a very prestigious nursing school. What's wrong with that you may ask?
Well this poor baby ( yes I said baby) sat down and talked to us for over an hour about how unhappy she was with her current relationship of two years with a 19 year old who takes her money, breaks up with her on weekends (openly for other girls) , constantly told her how fat she is, but who desires to move in with her and gave her a bubble gum promise ring to prove his undying love. Did I mention that she works 40/hrs a week and he is currently unemployed but always needs gas money?
I asked her very simply and calmly with all the love I could, “ Why don’t you just leave him?” “ You see and know that he doesn’t love you” “You have your whole entire future waiting on you and you are such a beautiful young lady” Her response- “ I know he doesn’t love me, but I can’t let him go. I need him, and he is all I know, I have been with him since I was 15”
At that very moment I wanted to jump across the table and hug her. I asked if she were close to her mom, she says “yes, my mom prays for me when I cry but I just can’t leave him”
I went on to talk with her and just share my story and similar experiences with her and how life may turn out for her if she doesn't leave him. I left promising her that I would keep coming back to check on her frequently. My heart went out for her. To be so emotionally scarred and bound at such a young age. To be so young and entangled in such an adult experiences and lifestyle is heart wrenching for me. To be emotionally bound by another person for years and not just any years but teenage years, the best years, the free years.
This is painful reality in so many young precious lives. How can we as mothers prevent this? Well, we can start by standing firm and sheltering our children from the wiles of dating. We can also start by explaing our firm stand to them at a young age. We can finish by validating our children, showing them how precious they are in God's sight. Ensure that they know they are a gift only to be unwrapped by the person God gifts them to. Let us remember to keep praying for this young generation. Pray that God will give them the peace of a happy childhood with out the worries of an adult experience.
Be Blessed, Stay Prayerful and Stay Encouraged!
