The Freedom to Choose

Rumspringa… have you ever heard that word? I hadn’t until recently when I was watching a documentary about the Amish way of life. Rumspringa, refers to a coming of age period when Amish youths who have reached the age of 16 are given the freedom to experience a different way of life, free from much of the restrictions that they are familiar with so that they can make an informed decision on whether or not they want to join the Amish church. During this time they are also allowed to date with the goal of finding an Amish mate.

During rumspringa, like most teenagers given freedom, some Amish youths make bad decisions and involve themselves in a negative lifestyle. However, according to statistics, 90% of Amish youths eventually join the Amish church. In hearing that I thought, “wow! 90%, that’s impressive!” But, I also thought about the 10% that chooses not to continue the Amish way of life. What happened to them, did they choose what they believe is a better way, or did they get caught up in the lifestyle that they were trying out?

Unlike the Amish, we don’t have rumspringa. However, we can refer to high school graduation as a coming of age. It is around this time that parents begin to allow their children more freedom and responsibility. How are you going to handle it? Do you need to touch, taste, feel what the world has to offer before you decide that the values instilled in you by your parents are what really matters?

Ecclesiastes 12:1 states:
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” (NLT).

The world has so much to attract your attention and lead you down a path that takes you away from God. However, the days of youth are the perfect time to choose Christ. As you navigate the twists and turns and ups and downs that life often bring what do you choose, a life that embraces Christ or one that doesn’t? What percentage would you be during your coming of age period, the
90% or the 10%?

Photo: Microsoft Clipart

What's Wrong with a Little Conversation?

A Mother's Perspective
by Cleora Williams


Growing up in the ‘70’s we often heard the phrase “children should be seen not heard.” I was not allowed to sit in the company of adults or join in their conversations whenever we had guests. Further, I was not allowed to speak my mind as this was considered being rude. As an adult I can appreciate some of what I was taught but I believe that children should be allowed to be a little more vocal.

Personally, I encourage my children to talk to me and to share their feelings. This at times is quite challenging, while children share to certain degree they seem to always hold a little back, I often wonder if it’s because they (children) enjoy knowing things their parents do not.

I am however, very concerned about children keeping certain secrets from their parents. I am speaking in particular about when a child or teenager is being violated, that is, they are being spoken to or being touched in a manner that is inappropriate and make them feel uncomfortable.

My daughters THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO KEEP A SECRET! No matter how embarrassed or ashamed you may be, remember you did nothing wrong, it is not your fault. Tell someone; your pastor, a teacher or a trusted adult. But I’m sure I speak for all concerned parents when I say, tell us!

My daughters we need you to talk to us, as mothers (parents) we want to protect you. We will not see it as you doing something wrong: if you don’t tell us how will we know? Even if you have been threatened or bribed, you can trust us. No mother wants to know that her beautiful teenage daughter has been violated. I’m sure it must leave a mother feeling angry, frustrated and helpless.

As mothers we are concerned about you and want the best for you. You are a precious gift from God, so please talk to us about whatever is on your mind no matter how small and insignificant it may seem or how huge it may be. Don’t carry the load alone, we love you dearly and want to know what’s going on with you.

As usual ladies I conclude by reminding you that God’s word says that you are priceless and cannot be bought.

Working it Out for My Good

I'm over here today

“I can’t believe I made such a silly mistake! This means I have to pay to do the same thing again and I really don’t have the money."

It was for several minutes that I really let myself have it as I looked down at the hundreds of copies that I would now have to discard...

Stop by Laced With Grace to read the rest of this article

Happy 9th Anniversary Girl Talk

Dear Girls,

Today, June 1, 2009 is actually Girl Talk’s ninth anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been nine years since I started my little ministry to teen girls. Publishing Girl Talk has helped me to grow in so many ways as I write, get feedback and interact with some of the young ladies I’ve met over the past nine years.

My purpose in publishing Girl Talk has remained unchanged. I seek to encourage young ladies to live up to their potential, make positive choices and acknowledge God in their lives. This remains my goal as I continue to publish Girl Talk.

Thank you for your support over the years. Every time I felt like giving up God allowed some of you to send me an email or call me on the phone to encourage me and let me know that you’re still out there and still reading Girl Talk.

Special thanks to those young ladies who have become the faces of Girl Talk. You never complain when I constantly stick a camera in your face for yet another photo. You’re the best!

L-R Kayla, Valene, Stephanie, Bernadine, Wendyann, Twaniqua & LaChante

God bless,
Bernadine McIntosh

Living His Plan

Dear Girls,

I’m sitting having some quiet time with God and this verse in Psalm stood out to me, so of course I wanted to share it with you.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my
life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid
out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 (NLT)

Tonight that verse really caught my attention. Can you imagine, a day by day account of our life was written before we even existed. There is nothing you and I will ever experience in life that is a surprise to our Heavenly father. Isn’t that great? He loved us enough to plan our lives before we were even born.

I know I don’t always live up to His master plan for my life, however ultimately I would love to think that, I am living His plan… What about you?

God bless,
Bernadine

A Mother's Example

I'm over here today.

Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24


Enoch was one character I didn’t relate to at first in my Old Testament reading. It seemed impossible for anyone to have such a close intimate walk with God, but as I thought about my mother’s life Enoch was the Old Testament character that I thought about most. He doesn’t have a whole book in the bible, just a few verses. However, the verse above could have been written about my mother. ..

Stop by Laced With Grace to read my Mother's Day devotion

Nice Matters

A few weeks ago I went on an outing with several young ladies. We had a fun day exploring our beautiful island, being tourists at home for a day. We stumbled across, Caribbean Lighthouse, a quaint little souvenir store in the Port Lucaya Marketplace. The store was filled with beautiful and interesting Bahamian made artwork, jewelry and other souvenir items. The girls and I were quite intrigued as we looked around the store, admiring the different items each one with its own unique features.

All of the girls saw things that they wanted to purchase. However, by the time we stopped in the store most of our money had been exhausted on other things, like daiquiris, video games, sunglasses, earrings and a few other things we thought were absolute necessities.

The fact that we were simply “window shopping” did not deter the sales consultants. They went out of their way to show us their products and pleasantly answered our endless questions. In fact, after they noticed that the girls were interested in some of the smaller souvenirs they gave them such a good discount that they were able to purchase something in the store. One of the sale consultants even went outside and patiently took photos of our group with about four different digital cameras.

We left the store thinking, “Wow! What nice people. I’m definitely going there again.” Hopefully, we’ll have more money next time.

So if you're ever in the Port Lucaya Marketplace in Grand Bahama, be sure to stop in at the Caribbean Lighthouse, and do take a few dollars with you. I assure you, you'll enjoy spending it.