Here’s the part of the survey where we asked girls your age to share about a time where they chose “the cross” over “the crowd.” It warmed my heart to hear about the stand so many girls your age are taking for Christ. I hope that these examples will inspire you as much as they inspired me. Most of all, know that you are not alone out there! There are many girls your age facing the same pressures and temptations you do and deciding to choose the cross over the crowd. Remember that the next time you feel like you’re the only one taking a stand and choosing the cross.
I was at a school dance party and I thought the dancing was bad. My friends also agreed with me. There were parents there but they did not seem to care. When I finally noticed that the grown-ups wouldn’t come to the rescue, I called my mom and left the party.
— Grace, age 14
Well, there was this pool party. I knew there were going to be guys there. Almost all the girls were wearing bikinis. I chose to wear a more modest swimsuit. I also wore some cute shorts over it.
— Carin, age 13
I have been asked by people to go to parties where there would be drinking and I declined, knowing that it was not right.
— Kara, age 17
Some people were openly cheating in social studies on a test and I refused to join in.
— Kimmi, age 14
Once I was with a group of friends who wanted to steal something. They wanted me to also, but I just walked away.
— Kayla, age 15
A few friends and I were going to see a movie, and when we got there the only one that was showing was rated R for sexual content, language, and violence. They went in, I went home.
— Chelsi, age 17
I was on a really good volleyball team and we were about to start tournaments. It consisted of missing four Sundays in a row, so I said I would have to decline.
— Ashton, age 17
In English we’re reading a book that takes God’s name in vain a whole lot, and we have to read out loud. My teacher asked who had a problem with reading it out loud and I was the only one who refused to do it.
— Katherine, age 17
DO YOU HAVE AN EXAMPLE TO SHARE OF A TIME YOU CHOSE THE CROSS OVER THE CROWD?
B&H Publishing Group grants permission to use this excerpt as originally printed in the book Teen Virtue Confidential c. 2007.
To purchase TeenVirtue Confidential, visit http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=0805441921
Comments (14)
At a sleepover with two of my best friends, they started to watch a movie that had a lot of cussing and junk. Instead of staying there I went into the living room and watched regular TV. I was glad I did, too, because I later found out that the Bible says to guard our hearts! In other words don’t pollute it with bad words or anything that God would not approve of.
Posted by Jamie, age 12 | April 17, 2007 3:08 PM
I was IMing one day, and one of my guy friends started asking me questions about his exgirlfriend. He wanted to know if I thought she was snobby and stuff. So instead of answering, I just said, “I’m actually trying not to gossip about my friends.”
Posted by stephanie, age 15 | April 17, 2007 3:10 PM
There have been many times that I have been invited to a party on a Sunday or to a club with some co-workers. First and foremost, I teach 9-10th grade girl Sunday school. I wouldn't give up a Sunday with my girls for anyone or anything; especially if I know there is going to be activity.
Alicia, age 26
Posted by Alicia McFarlane | June 21, 2007 9:27 PM
i've grown up with my neighbors since i was three. we have been really close throughout the years. well the last year they've gotten into drugs and heavy drinking. it was really hard because they had been my best friends since i was three. but i had to decide to stop hanging out with them.
Posted by jacqueline | July 5, 2007 5:01 PM
One time when I Elementary school I was reading my Bible on the way home and one kid started to call me a Jesus Freak and I told him I was glad he thought of me that way because i do love god.
Posted by Amanda | October 4, 2007 2:55 PM
I am on the cheerleading team at my school and the skirts are really short. They gave me a skirt where you could see my butt as I walked! Of course, I knew this wasn't right and I spent the entire year wearing my warm-up pants to games. I just couldn't give up my values for cheer.
Posted by Kim | October 6, 2007 9:57 PM
My friends and I wrote on this pair of jeans where it said "I'm a Jesus Freak" all over them. I wore them to school every chance I got. People started kicking me in the shins and my backpack because I love Christ, and it was some horrible name-calling. I didn't respond because I was too afraid I would start calling them names. I finally was able to overcome my anger (with God's help) and I can respond kindly but firmly. ~Laura~
Posted by Laura | June 28, 2008 12:46 PM
I went to performance camp this summer, and one of the outfits we had to wear for the show was a leotard and a tiny tutu. The outfit was fine for standing up and tap dancing, but some of the girls suggested taking a picture with everyone bent over, looking through their legs. I was the only girl in those particular outfits who didn't do it. Even one of my Christian friends did it. There were only tow other girls who weren't in those outfits. I was really uncomfortable with the idea of the picture and even though I felt scared to say no, I knew I should honor God by keeping myself pure and when I did, it felt good.
Posted by Bailey | July 27, 2008 5:27 PM
well... there are these monthly teen discosthat happen at our local center... i went to one of them but i didnt like what i saw so i never went again.. i was like the only one in my class that didnt go... lol
Posted by Leah | November 6, 2008 1:30 PM
Once I Was Taking a test on the book i read a ""Person"" Said they would give me 10.oo$ if i let them cheat off me .
i Said," No Because if you wont pay me back and if we get caught them were both in troble !! >:[] "
LoL ummm.Well bYe...
Posted by ~PeaCe-OuT~ (: | February 1, 2009 3:08 PM
Me and my friend have been friends since the first grade. Now we are in the seventh grade. She suddenly started making these rude and mean friends. We go to church together and she is the daughter of the pastor. Still though her friends are mean and racist to me I wanted to fit in. My friend and her boy friend got these weird rashes on there face. It turned out to be a rash called slap face ( passed through kissing). The whole entire school made fun of her and the guy just said he got it from her. I chose crowd over cross when I talked behind her back. i still don't feel guilty she ditched me for some very rude people and the truth is we both became those people. I feel bad and I don't think our friendship will ever heal and I'm to embarrased to say sorry.
Posted by Harper | March 3, 2009 8:07 PM
At school, sometimes people will talk about using drugs, alcohol, smoking (not only cigarettes) and other disgusting things. One of my friends tried it and wondered if i did. I told her this: Why would I try something that could kill my spirit and myself? So she came to school the next day and told me that she didn't want to be that way anymore. =) I am glad I made a difference. Well, buh bye peace out!
Posted by Sandyyy | August 18, 2009 12:00 PM
Once in class these kids were making fun of this boy who is overweight. i mean it wasn't just a few kids it was the WHOLE class... group trash talk. I mean im not real fond of the kid either but no one deserves 2 b made fun of. Soon it became a class discussion. and the teacher was doing absoloutely nothing. i dont see how she could have been oblivious 2 this but oh well. I'm not rly some1 who is rly talkative in class or about what my beliefs are, but when the time comes i will defend them. i realized that they were being cruel. i said: Umm... hey guys this is not cool. How would u feel if this was u? and wuldnt u b embarrassed if he could hear what u were saying????
the whole class got quiet and finally a popular girl said: u know... shes rite
i was shocked and 2 this day it makes me feel good knowing it ended. 2 this day the kid still duznt know...
Posted by Grace | September 25, 2009 6:52 PM
just today while i was on MSN this girl from my old school, who i hadnt spoken to in a long time said this to me:
"do you realise how lame 'i didnt hit you, i hi-fived your face' is?"
(i had put the quote "i didnt hit you, i simply hi-fived you're face" on my display name for a joke)
it was no surprise to me, a lot of people from my old school were like that - they love a good girl fight. but instead of firing back with all the pay-outs i knew like i would have a year ago, i just replied:
"please, dont try to pick a fight. i'm so over that junk."
and her reply to that was' "WHATEVER". lol.
it was a really satisfying feeling that i'd ended it and not given her what she wanted - a fight.
Posted by anonymous | October 4, 2009 5:29 AM