start thinking. dream big dreams.

I would like to apologize for not posting more blogs after my second one. I've been in Brazil on a mission trip and also at summer youth camp. These two things have consumed my time. They've both been a blessing in my life.  I am now certain about what I want to pursue as a career. I am going to be a speaker that talks to teen girls about various things world wide. This occupation has been on my mind for a long time, but now I feel that it is time for me to start pursuing what God has called me to do! All I can really ask for are your prayers as I try to enter this career in speaking. Please tell your friends about this blog, or even tell your daughter(s) to tell their friends about this blog. I would really appreciate your support in these two aspects. Thank you!

Since I have been completely obsessed with what I feel that God is calling me to do as a career right now, I want to encourage you to have perspective. As teenagers, we are tempted into various things, including drugs (including stuff you smoke or sniff), alcohol, premarital sex, and even bullying etc. We think to ourselves "well if s/he is doing it, I won't get hurt, they would never ask me to do anything that will hurt me!" or " I like him/her too much to say no!"

Allow me to tell you the reality of making the mistakes that are above... you will not be able to pursue a walk with Christ that is enriching to you! You grieve too much and beat yourself up about one mistake, or a few mistakes you've made. I am also going to tell you that the patterns that you start right now will effect you later in life. A baby is a huge responsibility.  I can't imagine having a baby, school, and work to juggle. It's proven that more teenage girls who become pregnant will drop out of school. Most part time jobs require you to work twenty hours a week and you only get around ten to twelve dollars per hour. You might think that's a lot of money, but with another mouth to feed, I don't think so. There's also the trust factor to consider between you and your future spouse. If you cereal date or have sex before marriage, your husband might not have as much trust in you to keep your promises. If you have had premarital sex, God will ALWAYS forgive you! God loves you too much to NOT forgive you! He loves you!

Drugs and alcohol are addicting.  They are seductive and act like they are your friend. You may have a parent that says, "The day will come, someone will ask you if you want something to smoke or drink and what do you say??" and they always bug you until you say "NO!".  I am going to blatantly say to you, "Stay away from drugs." The life that God has planned for you is soo much cooler than being addicted to some illegal drug that steals your mind, your life, & will kill you.  Do you want to be addicted to something that will kill you? Do you want to be addicted to something that will make you loose your best friend and make you feel alone? I hope your answer is "no," because my answer is "no"! One of my peers is an addict. He had to repeat eighth grade. I tell you these things, because I love you, GOD loves you! Addiction hurts you and hurts your relationships with others and with God. The life God offers you is freedom, not addiction.

You might be asking yourself if I have been an addict or have done one of these things. My answer is no, I haven't. I have talked to and witnessed many young people under that influence, though. The problem is, most teenagers lack perspective. Perspective is not asking what you want NOW, but what you want once you get OLDER. Right now in your "teenage" years is the time for us to start thinking, "What do I think God is calling me to do?" Obviously, you might not want to think about a career right NOW, but I would start thinking about what you are working towards. Set little goals like, being on the honor roll at school or being the lead in a school production. I think that if we start thinking about the great things we could achieve compared to how we are "just human and we make mistakes and this will only be one mistake compared the millions that we will make"...we can reach the stars.  God can do what He wants to with our lives. I tell you these things, because I love you and I want you to suceed.

Be a catalyst, 1 Timothy 4:11-12
Taylor :)