rebelling against low expectations
Gen Z is facing an unprecedented identity crisis. Every time I ask a youth pastor or Christian leader what they think is the biggest struggle teens are facing today, the answer is the same: identity. I’ve observed this myself. Teens are struggling to know who they are and if they matter. I hear their questions and as an early-twenties Gen Z, I can relate. Who am I? What determines my identity...
My family and I were headed to an American Heritage Girls’ scouting camp out for my younger sisters. As we were driving, I scrolled through Instagram. A coworker (who is the same age as me) posted pictures of her and her husband vacationing in Nashville. It looked like they were having a great time! As my family drove through the desert, my thoughts wandered to my dear friend who I’d been...
Home to kangaroos, vegemite and surfers, Australia isn’t quite what you expect. Contrary to popular belief, most sane Australians don’t slather vegemite onto their weetbix, and they don’t wrestle with crocodiles. Australians don’t ride kangaroos to school either. But we would all love to see someone try to do that. Maybe you know that Australia isn’t in Europe, and only Steve Irwin and Crocodile...
Pixar’s newest film, Turning Red, is clearly about puberty: as protagonist Meilin Lee enters her teenage years, she discovers that she is transformed into a giant red panda whenever she experiences strong emotions. What the film’s marketing has not made clear is who the intended audience is. Rated PG for thematic material, suggestive content, and language, this is decidedly not a children’s movie...
“Who am I?” I ask and look around feeling lost, purposeless, and out of place. “I mean, who am I really?” I’m the pastor’s daughter. I’m an artist. I’m a writer. I’m a homeschool graduate. You can fill those things in with anything you want. I’m so and so’s girlfriend. I’m the captain of the football team. I’m the one with good grades. I’m so and so’s best friend. The list could go on and...
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18) Follow your heart. Love yourself. Do what makes you happy. These phrases scream at us as we pass billboards, watch commercials, or view ads on social media. As a society, we’ve convinced ourselves there are quick and instant solutions to...
“So, what do you want to do after high school?” I asked my co-worker as we sat at the edge of the courtyard, our backs against the cold concrete wall. It was a hot summer day and cooling off in the shade was the perfect thing to do after a Wednesday at day camp. The last few children that hadn’t been picked up yet scampered around, playing four square or catch. “Well,” she said, “I want to be a...
In my previous article, I talked about Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and their crazy, cross-cultural, and highly mobile lives. I also wrote about why understanding TCKs and being a friend to them is significant. But how can one be a good friend to a TCK… someone who struggles with maintaining deep friendships? How can one be a friend to someone so different? Here are nine ways to be a friend to a TCK...
“Hi, nice to meet you!” “Pleased to meet you too.” “Where are you from?” That question is easy to answer for most people. However, it isn’t for me because I’m a Third Culture Kid (TCK). What is a Third Culture Kid? Here’s the definition according to Van Reken and Pollock, two leaders in the field of studying children in cross-cultural...
Do you feel pressure to make up for your sin, or “clean yourself up” before coming to God? Even though you know that God’s grace is a free gift, do you sometimes feel unworthy of it? Or maybe you’re a slave to other’s opinions of you and need to be accepted in their eyes in order to feel okay. I have some news for you: you’re not good enough. And though this...
rebelling against low expectations
