As I was driving around yesterday doing many and various pastoral things, I was listening to NPR as I usually do.  I heard a story that I had only heard in the background before.  There was a young girl who hung herself as a result of being bullied over MySpace.  She was in her early teens and come to find out...the bully was an adult neighbor of hers posing as a peer.  To top this off, this happened in the city where I grew up, St. Louis, MO.  It's always sad to hear when someone so young committs suicide, and it's even harder when you know exactly where it happened.  Stories like this break my heart.  She was so young and had so much in life to look forward to. 

After writing those words it made me remember back to when I was a senior in high school.  A young girl comitted suicide at our sister high school (it was a Lutheran high school).  I remember the assistant band director (yes...I was a band geek) came forward during practice and told us that same thing that I just told you.  "She was so young...she had so much to live for...if you ever have a problem don't be afraid to tell me or anyone else".  To be honest with you, me and my own judgmental narrowmindedness thought that he could never help me if I needed it...he's too old, he wouldn't understand.  Granted he was around 70 and I am still in my 20's, but I still find myself in the same position as him.  And I feel that maybe he would have understood more than I realized then.  Maybe he or another teacher, pastor, or parent could have helped me if I needed it.  Maybe help was closer than I realized back then.

I felt that I needed to write a blog about this and to tell all of you out there, especially the many teens that we have as friends, that if you are being bullied, harassed, or stalked either on MySpace or in any other venue, then let us know.  You don't have to take it.  God does not desire for you to be hurt, belittled, and objectified like that.  God sees you as His precious creation (His prized posession) and you are loved by Him and by us.  We at The Well love you dearly and are always here for you if you need anything.  Maybe it's not a stalker or bully, but maybe you feel like you're being pressured into doing things that you don't want to do or things that you know are wrong.  Maybe you don't think that we'll understand or that we'll just jump to a conclusion.  Give us...give me a chance.  I want to hear what's going on whether it's good or bad.  No matter what the problem you have...I can promise you that there is hope to be found.  We can't forget that we have a God who forgives us no matter what we've done, no matter how upset our parents are at us, and no matter how down and depressed we feel.  So to all teens (and adults) out there...I want to let you know that you always have a place to go, especially when you feel like you can't turn to anyone.  Even if you are not feeling sad or that your life is out of control...maybe everything is going great...The Well is still here for you.  We want to hear all the good stuff, too. 

God's Blessings to all of you and let us bring about a movement of positivity and love on MySpace.