I know that life gets hard at times, I see the tears you cry, and the hurt that dwells deep within your soul. I love you more than your understanding can comprehend. I have a plan for your life, a purpose for your pain and if you would trust ME, I promise that your latter will be greater than the first.

When all else fails you, I will not. When others leave you, I will not. When there is nothing left for you to hold on, cling desperately to ME. I am the essence of love. The epiphany of hope and my love for you expands beyond the recesses of your mind. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, even death itself could not pierce the walls of love I’ve built around you.

Always know, my love for you is more powerful than anything on my earth. No matter what you’ve done in life, that fact, will never change. I’m waiting for you, will you come to me? I’m standing at the door of your heart knocking, will you answer?

However, the dictionary seems a little vague and generalized in it’s definition. Prayer is much deeper than an earnest request to God in word or thought.

Prayer is communication with God, it’s how we talk to God. It is not only requesting, but adoring, thanking, praising, and glorifying God. It is the sound the bleeds from us when the words and thoughts flee from us. It is the noise that resonates when joy is unspeakable, and it is the reverberating groans when the heartache is unimaginable. Prayer is the silent whisper seconds before the crash or the bone-chilling scream at news of a life that has past. Prayer is the longing of dreams to come true, the element of hope and its boundless pursuit.

Prayer goes beyond the mere definition provided by Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Far beyond. Wouldn’t you agree?

~Helen Williams! c 2002

Does this sound like you or someone you know? Oh sweetie, I understand your pain. Although it may seem like it, all is not lost. No, things will not be easy, however, it is possible for you to pursue the life that you dreamed. There is hope for you as a teen mom. The mistake of sex before marriage is forgivable and recoverable in the sight of God. It may take some time but your loved ones will forgive you as well, especially if they are Christians themselves. We’ve all fallen short in one form or another, the difference is that when we (children of God) fall, we don’t stay down, we get up. As hard as it may be, we must force ourselves to get up and continue with our life.

God loves turning our hurting into healing, but first we have to allow Him. Will you allow Him today?

I’m set free, you’re such a sweet Savior. I found real love, and you’re my real love, I’m not going to escape but I’m going to stay, I’m captured now, but so set free, I finally know where I’m supposed to be. I raise my hands, I get on my knees, there is nothing like the day you captured me, Lord. There is no one greater, I don’t need another savior. I open up my heart to you . I believe that you, raised your son from the dead, with all power in his hands. I know that if I should run away, then you’ll pursue me with love and grace. You have a plan to love me forever and though I mess up over and over, all I want to do is please you.

Jesus please forgive me and every sin I’ve committed and come into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior, personal best friend, my 1st love. Here’s my white flag because I surrender. Take control from this moment on and be the anchor to my ship. Jesus, here’s my white flag, I surrender. Amen.

White Flag-I Surrender/Sinner’s Prayer (remix) ~by T (age 16)

The word which God has written on the brow of every man is Hope.

First let’s define “drama tween.”

Well, we know that a “drama queen” is a person given too often excessively, emotional performances or reactions. Merriam-Webster definition.

“Tween” is a derivation of the word “between” which means, in an intermediate space or interval. The word “tween” means a boy or girl not yet thirteen years old. A “tween” can also be referred to as a “preteen”, according to Merriam-Webster.

Therefore, a “drama tween” is a boy or girl (usually a girl) not yet thirteen years old given too often excessively, emotional performances or reactions. In other words, any given situation, no matter how minor, has the potential to turn into a dramatic uproar. – MOTHERS BEWARE.

Next, let’s discuss some of the characteristics of a “drama tween.”

· If your tween has ever started a sentence with: Mo`THER…!

· If they use the word “like” in a sentence when it’s grammatically incorrect and/or they use the word “like” redundantly (5-7 times) in a single sentence.

· If they have destroyed the sacredness of short-hand. (i.e., ttyl, ttfn, bff, pofn, lol, lmbo, etc.)

· They tend to dress in colors that are bright enough to blind you.

· Tweens have the ability to hold a phone conversation for hours at a time.

· They often display the inability to control laughter.

· Most moms would agree that tweens are musically challenged.

· More often they are dependent upon visitations from swarms of friends (at any given time).

· Some tweens actually believe that money does grow on trees.

· An over abundance of lip gloss and bracelets.

How does a mom relate to her tweenager who seems to be living on another planet? Here are a few tips:

1. Communication. This is vital in your relationship with your tweenager. Talk to them till they are blue in the face. Exchange dialog with them. Share your thoughts with them, and ensure them your trust while reminding them that they can talk to you about anything. Don’t be their friend, they have plenty of those already however, they only have one mother.

2. Quality Time. Spend time with your tweenager. This is one of the most important times in a child’s life. They are in a between stage and looking for acceptance. Reassure them that at home, they are always accepted. Sow seeds of confidence and a healthy balance of self-esteem when talking with them.

3. Unconditional Love. Love your tweenager unconditionally. Everyone has the need to be loved, and your tween is no different. Show them love by talking with them, spending time with them, and especially when they make mistakes. There are always mistakes made in life, you made them as a tween so keep that in mind when your tween makes a mistake. None are perfect, but we should be teaching our tweens to strive for perfection.

These are just a few survival tips to help you in your effort to survive the “drama tween” experience. I would just like to offer one last bit of advice to my fellow mothers: When in doubt, don’t pout, pray. Prayer really does change things. However, it should not be used as a last resort. The scripture tells us to always pray and not faint. If your tween is easy breezy you’d better get a head start on praying for those teen years; I hear they can be pretty intense and the bottom line actually is – YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET.