Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The Tough Stuff

After sixth hour a few weeks ago, as I stood gazing into my locker trying to remember what exactly it was that I needed for my next hours Chem lab, a kid suddenly smashed into the locker next to mine and it startled me. But what happened next was even more startling. The kid who had pushed him shoved him to the floor and began throwing punches. The kid rolled out and began fighting back. Of course it was right at this moment as a crowd had begun to gather, no one was doing anything useful of course, that an announcement came over the intercom saying that we were going to have a lockdown drill. So a teacher comes around the corner to see the two boys, still fighting and tells them simply to cut it out and get to seperate classrooms for the drill and then walks away. I was confused by this response considering the blood coming from the one kids nose. So i moved on to my next hour class for the drill. Because you go to the nearest classroom once the drill actually begins there were some kids in my classroom who aren't actually a part of my class and during the drill i was saddened to hear every detail of the girls' conversation. I heard about the party, the drinking, the breakup, the rebound with his best friend and the pregnancy scare all in a matter or 12 minutes. What is our generation coming to? It's scary and all of these are real and prevalent issues for teenagers in our society. Within the same day I added to the list of problems that I saw facing my high school and our generation as a whole. I listened to a friend share about the thoughts they'd had about committing suicide and they're attempt to do so (Thank God that he has brought them through that and that they're doing much better) I saw a 7th grade girls wrists,scarred from cutting, (I didnt know her and she disappeared before I had the chance to catch her name or talk to her) and I listened to a group of Junior boys talk about chewing, and what drugs give the best high for cheap. God has called me to go into youth ministry and it pains me to think of the harsh realities that I am going to have to deal with. As for now I've resolved to do whatever I can to make an impact or at least raise awareness in our school about the problems that these kids are dealing with. In our school this process starts with a leadership group called S.L.A.M. Many of my friends and I were chosen last year to be a part of this group and we already talk to kids about Postponing Sexual Involvement we've tried to get involved with an organization called "To Write Love On Her Arms" that is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery . April is child abuse awareness month and we hope to do something at the school to raise awareness for that and maybe volunteer our time at one of the crisis centers in town. Our latest project however deals specifically with our school and our generation and it involves a movie called "To Save A Life". Its an Indie film that takes a good look at many of the issues facing our generation. The group is going opening weekend to raise awareness amongst ourselves and then spread the word about the movie throughout the school. There is a Christian theme in the movie and although the group is school sponsored and not specifically affiliated with any religion many members of the group are believers so for us this movies potential is double. It will raise awareness as well as provide opportunities for us to share our faiths. I've realized that Sometimes its important to take a step back and look at all the things that are wrong with our generation. Its really hard for me to admit that we are straying so far from what is right. I went through High school often times acting as if these issues were not prevalent in our community but that denial didnt make the problems disappear and it certainly didnt help in any way. So here's to my last 3 and a half months of impact at this school. I pray that God will give me and those around me the courage to stand up for what is right and impact this school in a way that so obviously points to God that we will not only see a restoration in our school but a revival in our school and community.
In Christ,
Sarah

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