Thinkers vs Talkers

I just left my thirteen year old's room.  It's almost 11:00pm.  He said it was past his bedtime, but we had a good chat.  A heart-to-heart after a long day of school.  Oh, nothing serious happened.  Nothing terrifying or abnormal.  Just a normal, lonely, embarrassing, feeling-left out and feeling-stupid-kind-of-day. He missed pronounced the capital of Iowa in a geography speech (he doesn't know French). He called Beyonce a "he" (I'm glad he couldn't pull up a visual of her curves in a body suit). And he didn't have anyone to talk to for the entire day.  I would feel kind of invisible as well...and maybe even choose to be.

Where do you go as a parent?  How do you instill the love of the Father and the design of the Creator?  How do you teach pop culture without the promise that if you know these names and faces, you will be liked?  How do you renew a mind and drop in courage while listening to and sympathizing with real middle school troubles?

Two hours of time.  That's where you start.  In a safe place.  No strings attached.  No distractions.  Just a boy on a pillow, and bring your computer.  Lots of searching and watching and listening and looking away.  What did he conclude?  He doesn't care for most of the music anyhow.  He doesn't want to watch most of the videos anyhow.

And the conclusion...he must not walk in fear: fear of other peoples' opinions, fear of embarrassment, fear of loneliness, fear of abnormal design.  But take heart, in this world there are "thinkers" and there are "talkers", and that's part of the amazing plan. God has called you to something great...don't miss it!