Author: jacksonkarris@gmail.com

Seven

#SEVEN

“Are you comfortable?” asked the doctor as he adjusted the long hose that connected to the jar. “I’m okay” I said as my eyes locked in on the clear, empty jar that stood alone in the middle of the metal table. It was quiet. Eerily so. Except for the faint sound of my sixteen-year-old body being emptied. Emptied into the jar. Tears filled my eyes as I a sat there staring at the jar. A jar that was filled with parts of me. “Don’t cry. Everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay.”, I told myself. And when the jar was almost filled, I got up and walked towards the door. As I walked through the door, I looked back one last time at the jar in the middle of the metal table filled with parts of me and I knew something about my life would never be the same.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her to guard her body. I would tell her that her body is not a tool to gain the love and affection of others, but one her most valuable and precious assets. I would tell her that her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should be protected at all costs. And I would tell her that one way she can honor God is to honor her body.

Truth #7

Honor Your Body

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 New International Version)

Karris

Eight

#EIGHT

“I hate you. I hate you.” were common words I yelled at my sister when we were growing up. There were different reasons why my sister and I didn’t get along as kids, but one of the reasons was her light. She was pretty. She was smart. And as the older sister, she had nice things. The truth is, I wanted to be just like her. But there was something about the brightness of her light that made my light feel dull, boring, and insignificant. So, instead of saying, “Your hair looks really nice. Can you help me with mine?”. I would say, “I hate you. I hate you.” It wasn’t just my sister’s light. I felt insignificant next to anyone who had a bright light.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that the brightness of your sister’s light doesn’t diminish the brightness of your own. I would tell her not to feel threatened by someone who has a bright light, but to see them as someone who can help strengthen hers. God called us all to let our light shine, and often we reduce the lights of others to make our own shine brighter. Or, we hide our light because it isn’t as bright as someone else’s. Lastly, I would tell her that the real power comes when her bright light connects with someone else’s brighter light and makes the brightest light.

Truth #8

Let your LIGHT SHINE

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

Karris

Nine

#NINE

“I’m going to leave school and have lunch with my mom”, that’s what my boyfriend told me. As the day went on, I realized a lot of other students had left school too. I soon learned it was a senior skip day and all the seniors went over to someone’s house to celebrate and I wasn’t chosen to attend. There were a lot of things that happened that day, but at the heart of it all was the overwhelming sense of rejection I felt. Rejected by my boyfriend. Rejected by my friends. Feeling rejected was a common theme for me growing up and it started when I was very young. I was always searching for someone to validate me. To acknowledge my existence. To choose me. And I would go to great lengths to get that validation.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that she has already been chosen. I would tell her not to seek validation or acknowledgement from other people, but to focus on the ONE whose validation really matters – God. I would affirm her hurt and acknowledge the real pain that goes along with feeling rejected, but I would encourage her to read the Bible and pray. I would remind her that she’s been chosen by God and He has a plan for her life.

Truth #9

You are Chosen

“On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:23 ESV)

Karris

Karris