Let's Be Friends!

I read an article in my paper today about MySpace where they polled teens ages 12-17 about their use of "social networking" sites.

More than half of American youths use online social networking sites, according to a recent survey. MySpace is, by far, the most popular (85%). 70% of girls aged 15-17 use social netwoking sites and 22% of teens check their site more than once a day. But teens are being smart as well - 45% of them have profiles that are visible only to their friends.

So what does this mean? Teens are online. Duh. I know. That's not news! No, but it sort of proves what we have assumed all along. That teens connect digitally and we don't really know what the long-term impact is going to be on this generation.

Our idea of community has changed radically over and over again, and while this is yet another culture shift, it's not necessarily a positive one. And it goes to why I decide to have a MySpace. Just a few generations ago, we weren't nearly as mobile. people stayed closer in communities, and older women naturally helped the younger women as they adjusted to being wives, and moms and everything that happens in between. That changed and now we get advice from friends and books and the Internet - those close-knit communities (for the most part) are gone. But with the Internet, and being able to instantly e-mail 300 people all over the country, we no longer even need to venture out of our houses to get lots of opinions about things. I'm all for peer relationships, but we all need "mentors" - people who have gone before us, that can help guide us along the way. It's the whole concept of Titus 2.

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverant in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they (older women) can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." Titus 2:3-5

But where are all the older women to help these young women grow into the fullness of what God has for them? Many are enjoying their ladies Bible studies and chatting over lunch, while half a generation of girls are posting cute pictures of themselves on their MySpace page. This is why I am on the Internet - to be available. You see, I cannot necessarily convince anyone to listen to me. I just have to be out here, blogging, answering e-mails and being available to anyone who wants to listen. Writing books that share my heart and passion.

So whoever has found their way here, thanks for stopping by - I'm thrilled to have you. But if you're a young woman that has wandered here, then I hope you find something here to help you on your journey. Because that's really my heart's purpose.

Oh - and you can see MySpace, too.