21 Days To A Teenager’s Spiritual ChangeSample

Love Your Family

I know what it's like to be a teenager. I know that you might not agree with your parents or siblings. I know what it's like to have a difficult conversation, and I know what it's like to get detention. I used to shout at my parents. I considered them too old to understand me. Sometimes I would even blame them for my own mistakes. However, now I realize that many times, it was me who couldn't understand. It was me who hurt them with my words, reactions, and choices.

You might think that everyone has fantastic parents and awesome siblings, except for you (I used to think the same). You might think that your life would be so much better if it wasn't for your family (I feel you). However, experience has taught me that you will change nothing with this type of thinking. You might start hating your parents and siblings, but for some reason, God decided that you would have those particular parents and those particular siblings (including the annoying brother and the know-it-all sister). God decided they were going to be your family and you were going to be brought up by them. If God decided so, maybe it is good to think about the 'why'?

Oh, one more thing! You would probably wish to change your parents and siblings, or their behavior, or level of understanding and care, etc. You can change them only when you change yourself. You will see the change when you start loving and respecting them. Can you at least try doing this? 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for my family. Thank you, that you decided they were the best people to bring me up. Thank you that through them, you teach me love and humility. I ask you to help me change, so that this change would influence them as well. I profess that it was your idea to give me this particular family, and I accept that. Amen.

Challenge: Devote the upcoming weekend to your family. Plan your time for studying and other responsibilities in such a way, that you can spend the most time with your family. During that time show them your love - clean up or cook something, it's your call. Let it be the beginning! Never stop showing your love with your words or actions.