This blog is specifically for parents of teens…
but will be a great resource for any parent.
I am Megan Smidt and I am a co-founder of this ministry, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, and I also lead our ministry for teen girls called GCH:decaf.
I am an unlikely parent. I have not given birth to any children, but I have 5 that legally and lovingly call me “mom.” I always thought God wanted to use me for His purposes in working with kids, but he has shown me very clearly over the past few years that He needs me with their leaders and parents, specifically, to further His Kingdom.
So, I have 5 kids ages 14-21 and I volunteer every week with the high school students at my local church. I have been a parent of teenagers for 8 years already and I have another 6 years to go, God willing. I love them… and I love the amazing journey that each teenaged relationship I have brings my way. I am honored to be able to walk along side you in this season and I pray that we learn a lot from each other.
As you can imagine, I also know the added stresses of raising teens in a blended family situation. I get that… even though I am the only one who blended into our family. My teens are living through and surviving abandonment, neglect, anger, disappointment, failure, psychological sickness and abuse, and other pain that comes from being a child of divorce and being raised primarily by someone other than their biological parent.
I am a Certified Christian Life Coach who specializes in relationships…. And I really love people…. especially encouraging people in their walk with the Lord.
God has shown me it is important that, as a ministry, we not just be there for teen girls, but that we help bring healing to families through also offering support to their parents. My prayer is that GCH will be an instrument to help families become more fully devoted followers for God and, in turn, thrive in this season. I thank you for being on this journey with me.
I do not believe that kids need to wait until they are older to do something big for God…. They can do it NOW. Understanding their own unique and divine mission is a key step in them accomplishing big things for God. Being a parent myself, I know how important it is as a parent to be there for your children to give them much-needed motivation and encouragement to help a teen take a step towards God, especially being in a fallen world that is trying to get your teen to step away from Him every day.
I will be starting out this blog by writing a few times a week here about how you can help your teen discover God’s mission for their unique life purpose. I pray this blog will change your relationship with your teenager and help you prepare them for a meaningful life that God has so divinely created them for. I plan on helping you have conversations with your teens about such things as….
- Knowing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
- Praying for courage, perseverance, and miracles
- Understanding spiritual gifts, best qualities and finest values
- Rethinking motives, relationships and use of time
- Writing a Lifetime Dream Statement
- Surrendering all to Jesus
We are partners… in this together. We all know it takes a village to raise a child and I pray that you will find this to be a helpful place as you navigate these waters of teenagedom.
Lord, we come to you today praying for your leading. Help me come up with good questions to ask my kids and help me every day to truly hear my kids’ hearts. I am thankful that You have helped me find my life’s purpose in You as an adult and I pray you will use me as a willing vessel to speak into the lives of every family represented here. We thank you in advance for how relationships will be restored through this journey and for all of the incredible discoveries we will make together. Lord, we thank you for this provision! Amen.
Blessings to you and yours,
Megan 🙂
megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com
https://www.facebook.com/megan.smidt
Sign up for one of our Online Bible Study or Fellowship Groups for Women and Teen Girls here:
http://girlfriendscoffeehour.com/sign-up-for-girlfriends-coffee-hour-online-bible-studies/
So VERY Excited about this new blog!!! Thanks Megan for allowing God to use you in this way!
Sweet! Well done, Missy, caring for those kids. I am the biological mother of two teen girls, 13 and 17, but my husband is biological father to only one. As you already know, biology is not everything! 🙂 My Melissa counts hubby as her daddy for all time.
I pray this will be a blessing to you and your family <3
Awesome Megan <3
oh-happy-me! i have been quietly praying and asking, seeking, begging God for just THIS! this blog, megan, i truly believe is going to be life and death in someone's life. "Father, please guide and bless each of the parents of our decaf girlies! may Your Words help each parent to biblically, spiritually parent their child(ren) as they are led by You, Who are the very best example of a parent! You are our all in all! we praise and thank You for Your blessings of grace and mercy! in Jesus' name, i pray, amen!" <3
Bless you, sweet Coleen!!!