Boy-crazy Girls

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Laurel was poking through some old cardboard boxes when she found a sealed shoebox she’d never seen before.

“Mom, what is this?” she called out, shaking it gently. Something rustled inside.

“Oh boy,” her mom said, entering the room. “Those are my old notes from middle school.” As her mom unsealed the box, Laurel crowded close. Notes spilled out, some creased into elaborate shapes, others hastily folded.

“Can I look at them?” Laurel asked.

“Sure.”

As her mom left the room, Laurel grabbed the box and dumped it on her bed. As she read, she noticed the notes had a lot in common. They mentioned homework, tests, bands, choir, and sports. Some were snarky, poking fun. Others discussed plans for sleepovers or hanging out together after school.

But the majority of the notes focused—at least in part—on boys: whether or not Sara liked Ryan, or if Teresa was really over Matt.

Laurel piled the notes back into the box and went looking for her mom.

“I didn’t realize you were so boy crazy,” she teased, tossing the box on the kitchen counter.

Her mom rolled her eyes. “You have no idea. The funny thing is, none of those relationships ever lasted. But it sure did make for a lot of jealousy and heartbreak in my friendships. I wish my friends and I had focused more on ourselves—our plans for the future, or even for summer vacation—than on relationships that didn’t last.”

When we are with friends, what if we focused less on the relationship drama that pulls our attention and more on God’s plans and our dreams? What if we spent less time consumed with boys and more time asking our friend what she wants to accomplish in the next year or something fun she’d like to try? Who we really are is defined by our relationship with Christ. He has a dream and a vision for our future. Let’s encourage our friends—and ourselves—to be brave enough to pursue it.

Things to Think About

• Have you ever found yourself pulled into girl drama, especially as it relates to boys? What could you do next time to shift the conversation to another topic?
• What are some activities you enjoy? What is something you might like to do with your life?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

Write a friend a note. Talk about something specific and fun you’d like to try or your upcoming plans. Ask your friend to do the same.