There are about a million perks to working with youth. You
get to hold their hands through some of the most dramatic and tear-filled
moments of their teenage years, you get to watch them take giant leaps toward
the man or woman they were created to become, and you get to give away tiny
pieces of your heart to be scattered and carried everywhere that any of them
may go in life. Ultimately you get to feel a huge sense of pride and a tiny
twinge of letting go when they graduate and move forward. I am blessed to know
and love many young men and women who will all too soon “walk the line” and
step into a world that is waiting for them, ready or not.
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| Eight year throwback to my own high school graduation, with my two BFFs, Amber and Heather! |
To the wonderful kiddos that I’ve come to love,
Whether I’ve gotten to know you in the classroom, on the
ball court or field, through Church or missions – listen up one more time. This is my
best advice.
1. Get grounded in your faith and stand firm in
what YOU believe. Opposition won’t just come from obvious places; even people
you love and trust will work to persuade you to believe the way that they do.
God gave YOU a heart and a mind. Use them both and figure things out for
yourself.
2. Watch your mouth. Gentlemen, when you’re in the
presence of ANY lady – any age – act as if you’re with your grandma. If Granny
would smack you for saying it, choke that word back down. Ladies, just don’t.
You are intelligent and have remarkable beauty, and both will only be impugned
by use of language that is unnecessary and tastes almost as bad as it sounds.
3. Own your mistakes. You’ll have plenty of them,
and that is perfectly acceptable, but know this: If you mess up and receive an
applicable punishment for that infraction, Sweetheart, you are NOT a victim.
Please don’t walk through life as though someone constantly owes you something.
The truest sign of adulthood is recognizing your own responsibilities and
living up to them.
4. Never underestimate the value of a “Thank You”
card. Fortunately, there are still people in the world who will do nice things
for you. At the very least, they deserve your recognition. At times, “Thank
You” will not seem like enough, but the fact that you took time to say it will
be.
5. Put down the phone! I recently watched a Prom
couple on their dinner date before the dance. They walked into the restaurant,
gave the attendant their name, and within 30 seconds both of them were actively
engaged in the virtual world behind their cell phone screens. She looked
stunning and he was handsome; I’m not sure either of them ever noticed. Your phone
is a tool for enhancing your life; don’t let it become your life. Live in the
moment and be present for the people you’re with, right then!
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Each of you was created with a purpose. Never doubt that
FACT.
You are valuable. You are lovable. You are teachable.
You are ready!
Congratulations! I’m proud of you and I love you,
Ashlee
