Something That Matters...

This morning as I went for my run I was listening to a myriad of songs, mostly worship and country (odd mix I know). One of my favorites from Lady Antebellum came on, "I Was Here." As I listened to the words of this song (I have listened to this song many, many times before) the words made me start thinking of a very, very special young lady in my life who I love so deeply.

This past week I have had been given countless opportunities that she has afforded me to see a glimpse into her heart, into who she was created to be and the struggles she faces. She made a profound statement to me last week that the sophomore year of school seems to be a year of change, not just for her but for so many of her peers. She has made the observation that many of her peers are choosing to have sex, others are coming out of rehab, some seem to have a distorted view of who God is based on their claim of Christianity yet their actions and words don't line up. She feels the pressure of college and the decisions she is making now she can see future implications. For me, as her mom, I am coming to realize that this year more than others is a year of attentiveness and availability.

If I could categorize her in one word it would be sturdy. Don't get me wrong, I am not painting a bright halo above her head, she is a teenager and makes choices that are disheartening and unfortunate, BUT, for the most part, she is sturdy.

She is sturdy in her convictions, she is sturdy in beliefs, she is sturdy in what she perceives, she is sturdy in her relationships, she is sturdy in her words.

This past week she struggled with a few decisions - to her, these were big decisions. She has come to a crossroad of feeling called to be more available to the non-believer, to be more available to be used by God. She feels a stirring in her heart that He has created her for something more and from a mature perspective, I see Him preparing her for the journey as He gives her opportunities to respond now.

In talking with her about the future she remarks about the aptitude tests they take in high school. They all point her to a teaching, coaching, counseling, mediation path - consistently so! I look at the response and can't help but see He has created a synonymous path for her in being intimately involved in the lives of those around her. Her response to this outcome is, "Mom, I want to make a difference! I want to make a big difference!"

She doesn't see it but I see it - she is making a difference because it is her heart's deep desire. I see this in her everyday interactions with people. Just recently she told me of a young person that just got our of rehab that was in one of her classes. As she shared stories of their interactions, I saw a young lady not afraid to stand firm in her beliefs and even less afraid to encourage this person that he could be something more rather than being defined by confinement and drugs. I see this in a new role she is taking on in assisting with a young volleyball team. The enthusiasm she has to be in the lives of these girls surpasses helping them be better volleyball players, but better people as well.

Now, please hear this.. I know she is a teenager and as great of a kid as she is I know she will make teenager mistakes. What I am saying is that if she continues sticking close to Him, I believe He will guide her and protect her along the way because she is deeply desiring to be used by Him. She wants to make a mark in this world and in the lives she encounters.

So as I was running listening to this song, it made me think of my beautiful Emory. I hope it is not illegal to take Lady Antebellum's words and change them. If I could have had a way to contact them I would have. What I changed I put in bold.

Emory wants to do something that matters... she wants the world to know He was here! With His guidance and protection, I believe she will do just that!

You will notice me
I'll be leaving His mark like initals carved in an old oak tree
You wait and see
Maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I'll paint like Van Gogh
Cure the common cold
I don't know but I'm ready start cuz I know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better
With the time I've been given
And I wanna try
To touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less
Than something that says “He was here”

I will prove you wrong
If you think I'm all talk, you're in for a shock
Cuz this dream's too strong
And before too long

Maybe I'll compose symphonies,
Maybe I'll fight for world peace
Cuz I know it's my destiny
To leave more than a trace of Him in this place

I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better
With the time I've been given
And I wanna try
To touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less
Than something that says “He was here”

And I know that I will do more than just pass through this life
I'll leave nothing less than something that says “He was here”

“He was here”
“He was here”
“wanna do something that matters”
“He was here”