Wondering

Dear Wondering:
If your youth group is an outreach, why wouldn’t you want to go? Jesus is all about outreach! I’d think you’d want to be a part of something bigger than yourself and your few close friends who study the Bible together.

Why is it important? Outreach is one reason. Fellowship with a variety of other Christians is another. Spiritual growth, Christian social activities and discipleship are other reasons it’s important.

Dear Susie:
I haven’t started shaving my legs yet, and I’m not even sure I want to! God didn’t talk about hair removal in the Bible, so I’m thinking it might be a sin to remove the hair on my legs. Does the Brio staff encourage shaving legs?

It seems as though all teen girls are shaving their legs, and those who don’t are considered weird. I just don’t know if it’s right to shave my legs!

Frustrated

Dear Frustrated:
Let’s take your questions one at a time. No, the Bible doesn’t mention shaving. Neither does it mention popcorn, bicycles or iPods. Just because the Bible doesn’t mention something doesn’t mean it’s a sin.

Most girls like to remove the hair from their legs because it makes them feel more feminine and clean. But in many countries around the world, women don’t shave their legs. Shaving isn’t a moral issue. It’s not right or wrong; it’s simply a choice.

Yes, the Brio staff all shaves, because we feel better when we do and because it’s considered professional office appearance. Should you shave your legs? Talk with your mom about it and get her insight. Does she shave her legs? If so, she probably won’t mind if you shave yours.

Dear Susie:
There are some girls at my school who make fun of me because I tried out for softball, volleyball and cheerleading and didn’t make any of them. My mom says they’re just jealous of me, but what’s there to be jealous about if I didn’t make anything? Sometimes they even make me cry. What can I do about this other than fight back?

Had It

Dear Had It:
Sounds to me like you’re dealing with some bullies. If they’re jealous of anything, they’re probably jealous of the fact that you had the confidence and determination to try out for all these activities! I definitely admire you for that!

Usually people will only give you a hard time when they can see that it upsets you. Don’t give them that power! If you refuse to let their teasing upset you, they’ll stop bullying you. The next time they say something hurtful, respond with, “Yeah, can you believe I tried out for three things and didn’t make one? Hey, but watch out next year! I’m on a fast track to winning!”

Dear Susie:
OK, I have a boyfriend, and I kind of want to have sex with him, but I sort of don’t want to because I know it’s wrong. He told me if I wanted to, he’d do it. But he’ll also wait for me if I don’t want to. I don’t know what to do.

Perplexed

Dear Perplexed:
Are you kidding me? If you know it’s wrong, why are you even questioning this? God created sex for marriage and marriage only! Sure, you’ll have the desire to be sexually involved; that’s how God wired you. But have you heard of delayed gratification? In other words, WAIT UNTIL MARRIAGE!

You may want a piece of chocolate cake, but if dinner will be served soon, hopefully you’ve learned to delay gratifying that desire. You may want an iPod so bad you can’t stand it. But if you don’t have the money, are you going to steal it? Or will you delay that gratification until you have the money?

If you have any common sense at all, you’ll walk away from this guy. You say he’ll wait. Until when? Until next month when you finally give in? Any guy worth anything at all WON’T be saying, “I’ll have sex if you want to, but if you don’t want to, I’ll wait.” No. A great guy will say, “You’re wanting to have sex? Then you’re not the girl for me! I’m waiting until marriage!”