Many problems that face the
average teen today don’t really seem like true problems to me. Problems such
as; cell phone cords not being long
enough, no Wi-Fi connection, and maybe even having to drive a minivan to high
school like I do. Aren't there so many more problems we should be concerned
about it in our lives? My answer is yes.
Hello to all of you reading
this post to the Gentle Wisdom page for the Salina Diocesan Youth Council. My
name is Macie Frakes and I proudly represent the East Vicariate. I am seventeen years old and currently a
junior at Rock Creek High School. I technically live in the Kansas City Diocese, but I mean the Salina Diocese is so much better so I can’t help but going to Seven
Dolores a parish located in Manhattan, the farthest city east for the Salina
Diocese. Also, home to the greatest college football team. EMAW!
From Kindergarten till 8th
grade I attended Manhattan Catholic Schools and then started attending the
public high school I am at now. The transformation from a tiny private school
to a huge public school was very difficult. Meeting new people and trying to
find out what “group” you’re in, is quite possibly one of the hardest things to
do for a freshman. So hang in there all you who are freshman, everything will
play out.
In playing three sports, working,
participating in school clubs, and of course CYO events, can result in a very
busy schedule for someone. I’m sure this would describe mostly everyone, always
doing something to keep you busy and not giving you enough time to just relax.
Maybe even more importantly not giving the one who gives you life enough of your
time. Wait? Did she just say that we needed to add God into all of those things
in our lives? That’s right, I sure did.
I struggle with it as well,
spending too much of my time on Twitter or Instagram instead of simply reflecting
on my day and giving time to just talk to God. Sure I pray to God, I even pray
to God often, but usually it’s over something that I want instead of telling
him thank you for something he has given me.
Lord, please help me get an
A+ on this test. God, I really would like to get that cute guy’s number. Can I
just have those clothes, if only that then I would look fabulous? The only
one of these that might be okay is the one about a test; God wants you to do well on a test. The other two are not very good ones.
Granted teenagers,we are faced with
many challenges today, it's hard being a teen! Having to dress a
certain way, having to be in a relationship, and one of my new favorites is
having to have an iPhone. I mean, what has the world come if you’re only cool
by having a certain type of cell phone? Pretty disappointing if you ask me.
God tells us in Romans 12:2,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and
acceptable and perfect.” God is telling us to think outside of the box, in a new
and holy way that nobody else is thinking of! He continues in Romans 12:9 by
saying, “Let love
be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in
showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit,
serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute
to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”
Through these Bible verses God is telling us how we should be
living out our mission as Christians. In everything we do it should be good and
acceptable and perfect. By loving our neighbors and not putting them down, by
suffering as humans should, by being genuine, by hating what is evil and
turning away from what is bad, and above all in everything we do let it be for
Him.
One of my
favorite songs Words by Hawk Nelson
relates well to our culture today. Below will be a link that you can listen to the
song and enjoy!
I’ll be anxiously waiting to meet you at the CYO Convention
in Salina in March, until then, I encourage all of you to spend more time thinking about the
things in your life that truly matter rather than spending it on silly things here
on Earth.
God bless,
-Macie
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