November 5, 2024

About Tonya Elliott

Tonya Elliott - Blog Contributor – Teens Ministry
Tonya is a 40-year-old Memphis native, where she lives with her 4 beautiful children, ranging in age from 19 years to 12. She currently works for a faith-based organization called Memphis Leadership Foundation as a Young Women’s Coordinator, working with middle school aged girls. She loves to read and learn new things, and is currently seeking her degree in Human Services.

GCH:decaf — Meet Robin!

January 10, 2013 by

Hello Decaf!!!

I am so LOVING getting to know all of you! Amazing…this week, we have had the opportunity to meet Amber and Diamond, Michaela, so far, and now I have the privilege and honor of introducing to you all a very awesome young lady ; ) My kiddos and I enjoyed meeting and having lunch with her last month. She was with her mom and dad, and the young ladies (their parents) that she enjoys playing soccer with, in the tournaments that she competes in all over the U.S.! Is that amazing or what?!!! I think she has the coolest Mom ever 😉 She is pretty cool herself!! Have you guessed who my person is yet????

The young lady that I have the honor of introducing to you is none other than….Robin Bolme!

Robin is 17 years old and she lives in Smyrna, Tennessee…I’m going to get to visit there one day really soon.  😉

Robin in the sun

Robin’s favorite musician is Matt Redman and 10,000 Reasons is her favorite song. I am going to have to check him out for myself! Courageous is her favorite movie of all time! Castle is her favorite TV show and ANY sport on ESPN is what she loves to watch. On Saturday mornings, she also loves playing soccer, soccer, soccer…did I say soccer?!!! My kids and I tried to catch her in action at one of her tournaments, here in Memphis, but it was raining so hard on that day, that we decided to wait until the next time to go see her!

Robin’s favorite style to wear is Jeans, T-shirts, and flip flops (Toms occasionally). She likes to EAT and be active! The eating part reminds me of her visit here to Memphis! We met her parents, her and her teammates and their families at Hueys restaurant! We had never been there before, but I will tell you that everyone had a GREAT time!!! Adults and all!! When you are finished eating, you can take your toothpicks that they place in your sandwiches and you can place the toothpick in your straw and you can blow them up out of the straw at the ceiling. The ceiling is made of this special material that will hold the toothpicks, and I was told by Mama T that at the end of the year, they have a contest to see who can guess how many toothpicks are there and whoever guesses the closest, wins; and the money raised is then given to the charity that was chosen earlier that year. How amazing is that?!! Can I say that Robin was the Queen for that day!!! My Justin tried to keep up, but he was no competition for Robin…he came close….NOT!!! LOL!! Just by spending that time with her, I could tell that she LOVES a good competition  : )

Sole Mio, an Authentic Italian restaurant, is her favorite place to eat. I will have to say that I will have to find that restaurant as well, and check it out. We definitely have that in common…just love me some Italian food!!!! Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

Robin stated that the one thing that changed her life was “God blessing her with the ability to play soccer well. (I have to agree) She said that it has shaped what her life looks like and who she is.”

I have to share something with you girls about Robin that I found out through the grapevine ; ) Robin has the wonderful opportunity to play soccer on a US National team in Austria this summer!! How AWESOME is that!! This kid Rocks!!! A small select number of students are chosen each year to play, and Robin was chosen to be the Goalie!!!! She loves to travel, but she is a little nervous about traveling abroad, and not knowing anyone. I could understand that. Let’s send up prayers for Robin, that she goes and meets lots and lots of new friends!!! What an AWESOME opportunity that God has Blessed her with!!!

Congrats Robin from ALL of us here at GCH: Decaf!!! May God continue to take you higher and higher, in the name of Jesus!

 

Tonya

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

We’ll be starting our next online Bible study soon! So be sure to keep checking back for sign-up details to be posted soon!

If you are interested in sending Tonya a private message in regards to this blog, please email her at: TonyaElliott@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GCH: Decaf — Meet My Friend Rebekkah!

January 3, 2013 by

Happy New Year my wonderful girls!!!  I have missed you all : ) I do hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! I hope that you all know that this year God is going to do some wonderful things for you and your families.

I was so excited when Mama T told us that we would be getting to know more of you better during this particular study : ) I am exciting about the wonderful things that we are all going to find out about each one of you! Each one of you is unique and wonderful in God’s sight and ours! Well, let me introduce to you the fabulous young lady that I know through her lovely Mom, Mama T!

I have the wonderful opportunity of introducing to you: Rebekkah!

Rebekkah

Rebekkah

Rebekkah is 16 years old and she lives in Smyrna, TN. She is one of the beautiful 8 daughters of Mama T : ) Her favorite musician is non other than Cody Simpson, and her favorite Christian Artist is Toby Mac!!! Whenever I hear Toby Mac’s name, I think of the song that he sang with Kirk Franklin, “Be Still and Know that I Am God”. I love that song!! “Can I get up now?” Toby Mac is a fantastic artist! Rebekkah, I can see why you like him!

I truly believe that laughter is definitely good for the soul. I believe that Rebekkah thinks so too; her all time favorite movie, when asked, is “Madea’s Witness Protection Program”. If you want a good laugh, that movie will definitely have you in tears! LOL! Emily Owens M.D. is her favorite TV show.

We definitely have the same style of dress. Rebekkah likes to dress casual and comfy. What a great combination! You can’t go wrong with that : ) She likes to go shopping and watch movies when she is with her friends.

She loves to eat bacon and her favorite place to eat is Famous Dave’s. I have to try Famous Dave’s! Can you believe that I have never been there to eat? I guess I have to put that on my list of places to go and try.

When asked what was the one thing that changed her life, she said that it would have to be her realizing that the relationship that she was in was not bringing her closer to God. WOW!! I am so amazed with this young lady, that even at her age, she was able to see and recognize that in her relationship! Rebekkah, I am so very proud of you! It can be so easy to fall out of the will of God when we are going after what we want in a relationship and that person is not directing us down the right path, that God desires for us to go down. Hats off to you Rebekkah <3

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information. We’ll be starting our next online Bible study soon! So be sure to keep checking back for sign-up details to be posted!

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 12/ Day 4 – Rest in the Hope of God

December 20, 2012 by

GCH_LifesJourney

I believe that we all have things that we worry about. It can be hard not to worry and work things out on our own. We have to learn how to truly give our problems and worries over to God, for Him to work out for us. If we tried to work it out on our own, it would probably drive us to a state of frustration and anxiety. It can be hard to give something over to God that you want to fix on your own, when you know that you really cannot.

I can say that I have for the most part of my life, been a worrier. I have always tried to fix things on my own, even when I knew that I couldn’t. I usually made the problems worse for myself. If I only could have given it over to God and rest in the hope that He would fix it for me. It has never been an easy task for me to do. I can now say that I am having to learn how to do this because of the different things that God has placed in my life for me to have to deal with. I am eagerly placing them all in His hands because surely I know now that these are things that I cannot physically handle on my own.

Girls, please don’t take as long as I did to figure that out, that God wants you to bring your worries and problems to Him and rest in knowing that He is going to handle it, in His time. He loves you so much! If you don’t know yet, He really, really does! Give Him a chance to show you : ) Give whatever you may be wrestling with, worrying about, frustrated with, over to Him and watch Him work it out for you, because He loves you and you are most definitely one of His daughters! : ) Rest in knowing that He is on the job!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11: 28

Let’s pray:

Dear God thank You for allowing us to take this journey with You called, A Daughter’s Worth. We have learned so much and made so many new friends and Lord we ask that You continue to watch over them and deepen Your relationship with them.

Love, Ms. Tonya : )

 

Have you found things in your life that are extremely difficult to deal with?  We invite you today, to ask Jesus into your heart to help you with these things.   Whether it’s stress, fear, anxiety, temptations, peer pressure, whatever it may be, Jesus can and will give you wisdom, guidance, and rest!  If you would like to ask Jesus into your heart today, please pray with us now:

Jesus, I recognize now that I was not meant to handle all these cares and pressures on my own.  I know now that I can turn to You and ask You to come live in my heart, as my personal Lord and Savior, and I know that You will guide me from now on.  Jesus, I ask You today, right here and right now, to come live in my heart.  I invite You to be my Lord and Savior.  I confess my sins to You today, and I ask for Your forgiveness.  Cleanse me of the unrighteousness in my life.  I thank You now Jesus, for dying on the cross for ME, and for my sins.  In Your Name I pray, AMEN!

If you have just prayed that prayer with us, please send us an email and let us know.

Our email address is: GCH_Decaf@girlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.  We would like to celebrate this day with you!!

Be Blessed!!

 

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 11/ Day 4 – Be Willing to Accept “Yes” or “No”

December 13, 2012 by

Girls let me start off first by saying that when we write our blogs every week, the messages that we are assigned to write about in the book are messages that go to us first. What I mean by that is, (I am sure that the other Bloggers will say the same thing), what we have to write about is usually something that God is working with us on, in our own lives and to say it best…we have to take our own medicine, first. It reminds me of what my old Pastor used to say…”First to the messenger.” We have all been wowed by our Blog titles and subjects during this study! God is amazing like that!

Today’s topic, “be willing to accept yes or no”, was one that I really needed myself and so, I can better write about it because it is truly something that I am dealing with now. It can be hard to wait on God’s answer to a prayer that you really want Him to answer! You pray and then you wait: ( I can’t begin to tell you how hard it is trying to hear what God’s answer is to a request. I have learned over the years that you CAN NOT rush God! He is ALWAYS going to move when He is ready! He is going to move in His own timing! He knows what is best for us and we have to keep on trusting Him.

God KNOWS what is BEST for YOU! : ) I think that getting an answer of “No” from God is the hardest answer to receive from Him, but when your prayers aren’t answered the way that you think they should be, God provides comfort. I love how the author of this book, Ava Sturgeon, says that when the answer is “no”…”He’s promised never to leave you”, even when the answer is “no”.  Whatever His answer is, it will always be the BEST thing for us in the long run.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

God wants you to come to Him for EVERYTHING! He wants to be included in EVERY aspect of your life! He loves you so much!! Talk to Him like you talk with your friends and family. He doesn’t want to be left out : (

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always having our best interest at heart. Help us to be able to receive Your answers to our prayers whether it is a yes or a no. We know that You love us and want what is best for us. Help us to have a heart that trusts You dear Lord. We thank You in advance and we are asking these things in Your darling Son Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Love, Ms. Tonya : )

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 10 / Day 4 – Influence Your Younger Sisters

December 6, 2012 by

I grew up in a house with two sisters and I was the oldest. Boy was that interesting! It was a little stressful at times because my mom and dad always made sure to remind me of this one very thing, “Tonya you are the oldest and you should always set a good example for your younger sisters.” I heard it so much that it became a part of who I am today. It’s not saying that I have never did anything wrong, because I have…who hasn’t? But I have always strived to set a good example for my sisters, to be a good role model for them.

I can remember a time when my parents allowed me to babysit for the first time. My two younger sisters were my guinea pigs. Well they decided that they wanted to play softball in the house…now why on earth did they want to do that when we had a lovely backyard?  Well, the inevitable happened…my parents’ new china cabinet, glass window was broken! I asked who did it and of course, they both yelled, “Not me!!  🙁 Well, when my mom and dad got home and my mom saw the crack, she was angry! She asked the question that ALL parents would ask, “What happened? Who broke it?” Well, I honestly didn’t know, but because I was left in charge, I took the blame and the punishment. My sister has told me that what I did that day showed her how much I loved them and she wanted to follow in my footsteps.  When we got older, she said that it reminded her of what Jesus did for all of us when we sinned.  Jesus knew no sin, but yet He died on the cross for us. That is LOVE!

Girls, you can be a positive role model for your younger sisters, as well as your younger relatives and friends. They are watching you, so be careful what you say, what you do, and how you interact around them. You can make a difference in their lives, which brings me to my next story.

1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

My sister, who is two years younger than I, used to follow me to a ministry called Young Life, every Tuesday after school. She wasn’t old enough to go, but my leader allowed her to tag along. She followed my every move. I didn’t know it then, but I know it now. She decided one of those days after sitting through numerous Club Talks that she wanted to know Jesus for herself. She had been following my on my heels and watching me, and when I accepted Christ, renewed my walk with Christ, it was then that she followed me up to the stage and put her hand in Jesus’ hand and she has been walking and working for Him ever since. I am so very proud of her!

I would hate to think what her life would be like now, if I had not been a positive influence in her life :-/ What an AWESOME God we serve!

Girls, whatever you do…live your life as if Jesus is watching you ALL the time, which He is!! Be the same person when people are watching and when they are not…that my girls is called Character.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father please help the girls to know that You are always watching them and so are their younger sisters (biological and spiritual). Remind them to be the young women that You have designed for them to be. Remind them that little eyes are watching them. In Jesus Christ name I pray. Amen.

Love, Tonya

***************

For the A Daughter’s Worth Online Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button located at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH: decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 9/ Day 4 – Peer Relationships are Difficult

November 29, 2012 by

 

Peer Relationships are Difficult

I was always the type of girl who stayed to myself, until I got grown. I was a very shy young lady :-/ It wasn’t that I didn’t want friends, because I had them; it was just that my friendship circle was small. I valued my friendships, but like I said before, I was shy and wasn’t comfortable being around a lot of people. I don’t know, maybe some of you are like that too. I can’t say that I was a social butterfly like my two sisters were, and are, but I had some friends who were very close and dear to my heart.

Whenever you are in any kind of relationship, it has its potential of being difficult at any given time. You can be so close to someone that it can get to a point where maybe some of the things that they have always said or did, may begin to bother you, or get under your skin. We are being honest…right? Well, for me, that is true. I am the type of person that when I am bothered by something, I would never say anything about what bothered me, and girls, that is so not good! Learn from me!!! If something is bothering you about someone, go to them. It will be hard, and yes, you all have heard me say this before, but it will be beneficial to your relationships and friendships.

I can hear God saying…  “Is anything too hard for Me? NO! Nothing is EVER too hard for Me!!!”

Peer relationships can be difficult because these are the people that you possibly spend as much time with, as you do your own family, so that means that you are so close to these people that sometimes you can get on each other’s nerves, but that is okay.  Love each other enough to always make amends.  Anytime that you are really close to someone, small problems will happen from time to time…arguing, being upset with each other, etc…

Peers that you may not be so close to…you know…the ones that may pick at you or get on your nerves, all I can say is do what I KNOW works…pray, pray, pray for them! God will handle those types of peer relationships as well.

 

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord thank You for the girls that You have placed in GCH: Decaf. Help them to remember that You love them oh so much and that You want what is best for them. When they start to feel like the relationships that they are in become too stressful for them, remind them to gently come to You and place those relationships at Your feet and You will take care of them. I seal this prayer with the name of Your precious Son Jesus. Amen.

Love,

Tonya

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the A Daughter’s Worth Online Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 8 / Day 4 – You Can Handle a Difficult Break Up

November 22, 2012 by

I can remember when I was in Middle and High school… I never really dated until I officially got into high school. My dad was not really big on his daughters dating too much into our younger years in school. It was all girls in my family, so my dad tended to be a little sterner with us. He always said that he was a boy once, and he knew how they thought :). It did make it a little difficult for my sisters and me although, I will have to admit that yes, my dad was right: he knew how they thought.

As teenagers we all seem to think that our parents don’t know what they are talking about, we are quick to think that they are trying to make our lives difficult and hard, when all they are really trying to do is make it easier for us. They don’t want to see us hurt. They want to see us happy at all cost. Nine times out of ten, they have experienced heartbreak before and they desire to keep us from having to go through that type of pain.

Let me get to my story. I was in the 11th grade and I can remember my first real boyfriend. I was so in love with him. There was nothing that my wonderful dad could have done to help prevent that heartbreak from happening, although I am sure that he knew it was coming, because I was so head over hills for this guy. He was the perfect gentleman. We had dates to the movies, out to eat, long talks on the phone, good face to face conversations, etc… Then one day, he decided that he no longer wanted to date me. I was so heartbroken. I tried to figure out what I had done wrong, was it something that I had said, or did or didn’t do? It didn’t seem to matter because he just didn’t want to date me anymore. I was HEARTBROKEN!

My dad tried to comfort me, but it just didn’t seem to work. Honestly girls, I had to let God work His wonderful healing powers. I had to lean on Him to heal and mend my broken heart completely. Do I still feel that hurt sometimes? Yes I do, but I also remember how God sent people my way, who loved me dearly to help me work through that painful process. There were loved ones who baked me cookies, friends who sat and listened to me talk and held me when I cried. I can look back over that time and see how much God loved me that He desired to see me whole again. It was hard girls, it really was, but God got me through that painful process and He will do the same for you!!

There are two certain scriptures that are dear to my heart that show me that God is so concerned about us when our hearts are broken.

The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalms 34:18

AND

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalms 147: 3

God never wants to see His children hurt and heartbroken. He definitely KNOWS how it feels, just think about how He felt when He had to watch His only begotten son on the cross, bearing all of our sins and He couldn’t help Him because that was the decision that His son made, just for us, so that we could all be united with Him again. He also had His heart broken when Adam and Eve sinned for the first time by taking a bite out of the fruit when they were told not to. Wow! Yes He does know how it feels to have your heart broken!

So when you are experiencing heartbreak, yes you can go to God! He knows what it feels like. Take your broken hearts to Him, because He KNOWS exactly how to heal and mend them back together again 🙂

Let’s Pray: Dear heavenly Father please help us to remember that we can bring our broken hearts to you because you do know how to fix them. When the pain may feel like it is unbearable, please take that pain and help us to use it for good. Remind us that you love us so much that you don’t want to see us in pain and that you want us to be happy. We love you Lord and it is in your darling son’s Jesus Christ name we pray. Amen

Love Tonya 🙂

 *********************************************

For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information

 

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Daughters Worth: Week 7 / Day 4 – Sibling Relationships are Complicated

November 15, 2012 by

 

I saw the topic that I had to write on this week and I really did laugh!!! I told God that He really has a lot of jokes these days! 🙂 I said that because I can honestly say that I know a whole lot about this particular topic. I have 2 beautiful sisters and we have honestly been through a lot together. As a matter of fact, we are going through some things right now. It really is complicated! Sometimes it is so complicated that it hurts me so much that I cry. I love my sisters very much. I placed a picture of my sisters and me on the day that I received my Associates degree, and I also placed a picture of my own 4 children. You see, I desire for my children to be so close that nothing or anyone can ruin their close relationship. I know that may seem like a lot of wishful thinking, but that is honestly the one prayer that I pray over my children every day.

My mother has always tried to keep my sisters and I united and communicating with each other, unfortunately, it hasn’t always worked out like she had planned. We fuss and argue, we cry, we yell and scream at each other. Now that I have children of my own, I can see what my mom went through, having 3 girls under the same roof. We didn’t always see things the same way. We borrowed each other’s clothes without asking for permission 😉 we stayed on the phone longer when we knew that the other wanted to use it to call someone, we ate each other’s food that was in the refrigerator…not just any food, but maybe one of our favorite snacks…like left over pizza or a nice chocolate Hostess cupcake 🙂 My favorite!

We had to learn how to get along with each other. You have siblings and I am sure that you can relate to the things that I am saying. Girls, you have to always try and keep the communication line open with your siblings. You may not always see eye to eye on things and you may have a sibling who decides that he or she needs some space. It is okay, but when you feel like they have had enough time to get their thoughts together, sit down and talk with them. Try your best to make things right. God created all of us as different, unique individuals, and no, we are not the same. We are different and because we are different people, yet in the same household, we have to learn each other’s personalities and ways. We have to try and work together.

Sibling relationships are complicated…that is true. I have one sister that can be a little bossy, although I am the oldest, and I have one sister who seems to think that we just don’t love her…but we do. They may think that I talk too much or can’t keep a secret sometimes, but it is okay. It is what makes us different. I believe that when God created Adam and Eve… He wanted them to have children, lots of children, and God wanted the world to be happy and complete. Things didn’t go as He had designed for it to at that time, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t right! I can think of a lot of siblings in the Bible where things were really complicated between them. Cain and Abel, Jacob and his twin brother Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and so many more. You see, our families are not the first families to be COMPLICATED. Just know that whatever your siblings may be like, God is the One who placed you all together and it is ALL for His Glory. Pray for them continually and watch God work it all out!

I appeal to you…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1: 10

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the families that you have blessed us with. We know that no one family is perfect and things can sometimes be complicated, but help us to remember and realize that You are the one who created and united our families together and therefore You are the One who can fix them. Help us to continue to look to You for guidance and direction with how to deal with our complicated siblings. We ask this now in your darling son Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Love, Tonya 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 6 /Day 4 – A Good Friend Forgives and Forgets

November 8, 2012 by

  

When you have found a friend, you have found a good thing. A good friend is so hard to come by, but when you have found a good friend, do whatever you can to hold on to that friend. In the dictionary, a friend is defined as, “a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.”

Do you have a friend like that in your life? I think that we all should have at least one!  I have a few friends that are very close to me. We can talk about any and everything. We hang out and go to the movies and out to eat together at least once a month. We are like sisters, and you know what that means…sometimes we don’t always see things the same way, or agree with each other. We don’t argue, but we have our own opinions and therefore, sometimes we disagree. There have been times when my feelings have been hurt by something that may have been said or done, and the same may have happened to them. We all agreed that it would always be best to talk about what may have upset us and fix it.

We are to forgive and forget. It is never good to hold onto things. It is not good for your heart or your mind. It is always best to forgive and forget. Have you ever had a disagreement with one of your friends? How did it make you feel? I am willing to say that it made you feel really bad and frustrated. If you talked it out and fixed things between you and your friend, I am sure that you felt like a load was lifted off of you. You and your friend were like new again.

Jesus wants that for all of us! He wants us to feel free of anger, confusion, and frustration. If we can ask God to forgive us, surely we could forgive a friend when they ask us to, and even when they don’t. Forgiveness is the key.  Forgetting may be a little hard, but if you ask God to help you…He for surely WILL!!!

 

Be Ye kind one to another, tender-hearted,

forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

 

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for you sending your only begotten son to die on the cross for our sins. Help us to remember that you so graciously forgave us, through your son. Let us remember that when our friends may have done something to hurt us, that we should talk it over with them and when they ask for forgiveness or if it is us that should be asking for forgiveness, that we so freely grant it to them. We love you Lord and we are asking that you continue to work on our hearts. We ask these things in your darling son’s name, Jesus Christ, Amen <3

 

Love, Tonya

________________________________________________

For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information

 

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,