Since pre kindergarten Samantha has not done well in school as in showing respect to her teachers. She would think nothing of being defiant and flat out ignoring teacher’s requests and telling them “no” or just being plain old disrespectful. After years of this I was at my wits end and ready to rip my hair out. No matter how much I or Tommy talked, lectured, yelled, punished or took things away such as her computer and phone; it didn’t seem to have an impact on her and the negative behavior continued.
I even took her to counseling wondering if there was something going on that I couldn’t see. There wasn’t, but I kept taking her for fear that if I did nothing I would be doing Samantha a disservice and ignoring “something”. Out of the blue early in the school year Samantha asked if she could attend middle school youth group at our church. The only problem was that it was on the same night and time as her counseling appointment. Tommy and I talked it over and agreed to let her go on the condition that if the emails about her behavior continued we wouldn’t let her attend youth group.
It was a rough start, I continued to receive emails from teachers informing me about Samantha misbehaving. I told her about each email and that her time in youth group would come to an end. Then she comes home with a permission paper for a youth group retreat one weekend over the summer. I’m like, “Are you kidding me??” After a couple of relatively good weeks at school I reluctantly gave the youth group a deposit for the retreat. Telling Samantha it was only a deposit…
A couple of months go by, somewhat quiet on the emails from school front. While attending church one Sunday I find out that Samantha’s bible study group at youth group is a friend of mine. Her and I used to attend our own bible study group together. Ada is a sweetheart and I’m glad Samantha has her as a positive force in her life.
The next thing I know I’m getting emails from school again…I’m afraid to open each one as they come in. To my amazement they are from her teachers telling me about the positive change they’ve seen in Samantha! I am thrilled to say the least. Of course I tell Samantha about the positive feedback on I’ve received. She’s quietly proud and it’s sweet.
I couldn’t help but tell Ada the good news and also Dan the middle school youth group leader at church. They are all thrilled to learn what a positive effect they’ve had. I’m amazed to see first hand the church in action. Showing Gods love and investing themselves in the lives of these middle school kids especially my daughter. I can only credit the change in Samantha to God’s love manifested through Ada and Dan. Jesus can and will change lives in the most amazing ways.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 