Do you remember those golden middle school years when everything was easy and fun? Yeah, me neither. Middle school is a time of stretching and molding and becoming who we will be for the rest of our lives, and it usually doesn’t come easy. But I have genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to love and mentor my sweet eighth grade discipleship group for the past three years. It’s such a privilege to see their amazing growth during their time at Los Angeles Christian Middle School.
When I first began, this group of girls was shy, awkward, unsure of themselves, and harsh with one another. Each year has been a very slow, sometimes painful process of walking them through life’s hurdles and joys and decisions. Every hill and valley has formed these girls, and I can honestly say that looking at them as eighth graders now, they look nothing like those shy, awkward, insecure, harsh girls I once knew. Their greatest achievement by far has been their spirit of courage. Each one of them for different reasons has grown out of their “shrinking back skin” of yesteryear and has put on a new courageous self!
One who struggled with academics for much of her first year at middle school has now become the President of the entire middle school! Her election speech was beautiful, encouraging other struggling students to use her life’s events as motivation to be the best they can be because it is absolutely possible. Some students commented later that they could really connect with her experiences. I’ve been so proud of her that I began saying things like, “Make way for Madam President!” throughout the hallways (much to her chagrin).
Another who for the past three years has seemed unable to recognize her remarkable creativity and talent, finally began using those hidden talents in a church leadership role. She would often hide from the limelight and merely coast through quickly without acknowledging how incredibly gifted she is. This year she finally found her niche leading worship, preparing and organizing a youth skit, and even signing up to preach at her church’s New Year’s Eve service. Wow.
And yet another who is extremely kind-hearted, sensitive, and shy has finally found her voice to speak up about things that bother her and search for solutions. She is honest about her personal struggles and weaknesses and seeks support from those around her and her Savior.
This final year with these girls has started out with a bang! I am beyond excited to see where life takes each of them!