While Stephannie was visiting with the young people at the JDC, she noticed a boy sitting by himself. A reality television show was playing on one of the televisions in the room, and she used this as an opportunity to strike up a conversation with him.
The name of the show is inconsequential, however, it’s the content that was the catalyst for this discussion. Contestants of this competition-style program appeared to exhibit impulsive behavior and a lack of self-control. In addition to using foul language, they also were shown fighting, smoking, and drinking.
“I would never be with a woman like the ones on this show. At least not my main girlfriend.”
That’s what this young man’s response was to what was happening on the show. Stephannie noted that this sparked a conversation about how we judge other people, and what we think are acceptable ways to live our lives. When they started talking about the worth of human beings, and he went on to say,
“Not everyone is the same. They’re all not worth the same.”
It was at that moment that Stephannie realized she had an amazing opportunity. She told him that she disagreed, and explained that all human beings have worth, even when they do terrible things. Stephannie went on to tell him how, “all human beings are worthy of respect and dignity, and love.”
He challenged, and asked,
“What if a person just walks around hurting other people? What if they enjoy it? Wouldn’t they be deserving of less?”
Stephannie paused. She acknowledged that it’s really hard to answer that question in the truth that exists with Christ. However, ultimately, Stephannie was able to encourage this young man, by telling him:
“Yeah, even those people are children of God, and even those people are worthy of respect and dignity and love. That’s what I believe.”
She followed up with the understanding that when you are a person who does bad things, there are consequences, and your actions bring on those consequences—that when you screw up, you have to make a change in your life to be redeemed. But throughout that process, it is always true that God loves you.
In that moment, Stephannie was able to plant a seed. So many of the young people we work with are carrying shame and have questions and opinions just like this boy. It is our prayer to be able to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and model Christ’s grace, mercy, and love.