Dear 7th Grade Girls

"What is the price of 5 sparrows?  Couple of pennies?  Yet God does not forget a single one of them.  The very hairs on your head are all numbered so don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows."  -Luke 12:6-7

"Don't just pretend to love others, really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other."  Romans 12:9-10

So many moments we have as teachers give us the opportunity to impact our students.  This year, more than ever,  I found myself feeling as if I couldn't say what I wanted to.  So...here's what they said, what I said, and what I would have said if I could have...

7th grade girls, I heard you say:

I can't.  My legs are too chubby.  She has better hair than me.  I'm not eating lunch today.  It's okay, she knows I am joking.  We're not friends.  My parents wouldn't understand.  I'm too ugly.  It's okay, she's always like that.  I know I'll drink in high school.  We can't work together.  I'm not good enough to do that.  I'm going to fail.  No one will listen.  Who cares.  People will laugh.  I hate school.  My lunch table is mean to me.  I have no friends.  People don't like me.  I'm fat.  She's fat.  I'm not in the popular group.  She's a nerd.  Please don't sit me next to her.

What I said:

Try.  I like your outfit today.  Your hair looks nice.  Go eat something.  It's still not acceptable in my classroom.  Love each other.  Try talking to them.  You're not ugly.  It's not okay with me.  Not appropriate.  Learn to work together.  Try.  You might with that attitude.  I'm listening.  People care.  No they won't.  I'm sorry to hear that.  Could you sit with someone else today?  I doubt that.  People like you.  You're not fat.  Be nice.  It won't always be like this.  She's smart, there's a difference.  Be respectful.

What I wanted to say:

You are beautiful, smart, funny, and talented and God loves you.  He made you perfect inside and out.  When you feel like you don't belong, when you feel like you have no friends, when you feel like you can't do something, when you lack confidence in yourself, Jesus is there.  In this life, people will put you down.  They will hurt your feelings.  They will belittle your self-worth and diminish your confidence.  You will feel like an outsider.  You will have moments where you feel inadequate, ugly, dumb, fat, and insignificant.  It is not true.  They are not correct.  Whatever you do, beautiful girl, don't add to it.  Don't let the voice in your head be the one telling you that you can't do something, that you're ugly, that you're insignificant...that's a lie.  And don't be the voice that says these things to others.  Instead, know that you are a perfect child of God and he loves you and cherishes you.  You have value.