I
like surprises... most of the time. With these words, I'm about to
spring one on my silver-haired generation, about the teens in our
radar. Our list, “Things adults don't know or understand about
teens”, is a long and colorful one. We'll touch on just a few
of the important ones toward the top.
Teens
most often are visual feeders. Because their reading, writing, and
typing skills are not always up to par, they go for the video/audio
resources. Besides... video and audio is faster, louder, and
flashier. They like to create things, put their own imagination to
work. It's like they want their creation to have their stamp on it,
that somehow says, “Hey. I'm no dummy!”
They
love challenges. Boys on games, girls on multitasking conversations
and being the fastest 'news' reporters of their on-line network.
Today it's a gigantic phenomenon called, “Social Networking.”
More
specifically, boys like loud, messy, high energy, construction, and
competition.
The
girls like feelings, fashion, communication, and companions.
One
bit of a surprise, you'll learn with a bit of investigation, is that
the older youth like to have things organized, but don't know how,
much of the time. With that, they crave a bit of control in their
lives. One teen corrected my understanding of why youth (called
'emos') repeatedly cut themselves. He said cutting themselves
produces the only pain in their lives they can control. Otherwise,
their view of the world is like much of the news portrays.
Those
of my silver-haired generation feel mankind is so out of control,
that only God can bring peace and order to the world. The phrase
'peace and order' has such a calming force to our thinking. It so
often draws me to the serene scenes described in Psalm 23.
The
Surprise
With
visions of teens in their loud high energy competition and
communication, I spent a couple hours with some close relatives just
about to step into their teenage years. I thought somehow I had been
teleported onto another planet. Those youth were working jigsaw
puzzles! Yes, you heard me right – jigsaw puzzles! I thought their
parents had given them some kind of 'downers' pills, but that wasn't
the case, at all.
I
identified with them right away, as they turned all the pieces face
up and separated out the edge pieces. Then, referring to the picture,
the four corners were put in their approximate position. I watched
their eyes and looked for any phoneyness or 'staged' actions for our
benefit. There was none.
How
I loved watching them involved in one of my favorite hobbies -
working jigsaw puzzles. Long ago I thanked the hobby for reminding me
the importance of order and especially paying close attention to the
subtle differences of the pieces; when I so often thought two pieces
were identical. I now use that same technique in observing youth and
looking for the personality differences God has given each of them.
I'm
just amazed how God has given us so many tools; so many ways, to
interconnect with those souls around us, that are crying out for
someone to listen, and deeply about their needs and interests. Sure
we can connect with youth in the on-line social networking computer
programs, but for those not so computer inclined, He's given us
jagged pieces of cardboard to teach youth the peace and calm of
putting things in order. We place things in the order of His will for
our lives as we reach out to teens close by us.
