Our world has been shaken by CoVid 19 as well as recent events in our nation of violence, racial tension and political unrest. We have all been forced to look deep inside and recognize our own fears, examine our belief system and determine where we find our own foundations, hope and security. Hopefully we have opened our eyes to new revelations and recognized hidden beliefs, learned new lessons and chose to promote love, hope and unity in a world that feels pulled in every direction.
Imagine being a child in this day and age and hearing all the confusing and conflicting messages, seeing all the horrifying images. Surely this is a generation growing up in a new season of trauma.
My hope and prayer is that most youth are surrounded with family that help them process what they are experiencing. To remind them that there is more good than bad in the world, that they are loved and that that they do have a hope and a future. Unfortunately many children are lacking a strong natural support system in place in their life. Statistics show that 1 out of 3 of our nations youth are growing up without a mentor in their lives. We all need mentors. We never outgrow needing mentors! Mentoring is a proven protective factor and the best money you can put into prevention.
Kids need mentors now more than ever. Mentoring builds resiliency in times of trauma. Mentoring happens most often face to face but in an uncertain co-vid 19 world, we can use our own creativity to lend out support over social media, email, the telephone or as a pen pal. An extra adult to encourage, give stability and friendship can make an invaluable and life giving difference.
Sowing seeds of kindness in a youth will reap a harvest of hope and resilience for a child. Lets examine our hearts and see if we can add at least one child to our network to invest in, to lift and to be there when they need to hear that everything is going to be ok.
Rebekah