The Value of a Girl

The beautiful sunny 'San Diego' weather that we are so blessed with was hiding its splendor this last Monday, and Mr. Rain had taken it's place. Some of our youth at church, my daughter included, had a day off from school and wanted to just be together. We opted to have lunch in the food court at the local mall. We are a very creative bunch, and also took some games, so suffice it to say that we spent a very healthy amount of time at a table in the food court. We were not the only 'creative' bunch that had decided to make the food court our personal rain shelter. I noticed 2 girls and a boy sitting very near to us. They had already been there when we first sat down, and although were not eating, they were there the whole time we were. I have always had a burden for young people, and I just kind of felt drawn toward one of the girls. She was a very beautiful YOUNG girl. The make-up and seductive clothing didn't fool me. The guy that was with them could have starred in the music video 'Pants on the Ground'...Now enters Mr. Gangsta. As I played our latest craze, 'Monopoly Deal' with my daughter Chantal and these incredible young people from our church, I found it harder and harder to stay focused on the game. My laughter and joy began take a drastic turn. My heart was breaking and I was shaking with anger and sadness inside as I sat in this mall where people were deciding the 'value' of 'things' and buying and selling 'things'..... all the while there sat 2 young girls in the very same mall who didn't know their own 'value'. I shook with anger as I watched 'Mr. Gangsta' go from one girl to the other. He would sit on their lap and put his hands ALL over them. After spending time with one, he'd go to the other. As I sat there I began to feel VERY angry. I got up at one point and asked an employee to call Security. I was told that if there was no immediate danger, I would have to go to the information desk and make a request. Meanwhile my daughter had sensed something wrong with me. The other kids as well. When they noticed what was taking my attention, they all began to feel the same feelings of compassion, anger, sadness. I felt like something had to be done. As I was preparing to get up, I noticed one of the girls quickly walk away, followed by the other girl (the one I had been drawn to). This was my chance. I stood up and said "Excuse me, excuse me"...got her attention and she came over to me. My first question was 'How old are you?' I learned that this beautiful girl was 13. I wanted to cry. I began to talk to her about her 'value'. I told her that she was very beautiful and deserved so much more than to be treated how she was being treated. I could tell that I was reaching her, but when my daughter stepped in and began talking to her, I KNEW we were reaching her. We made friends with her and gave her our church card. When she left our table she left with the knowledge that she had 'value'. She was worth so much. That day really impacted me and the young people I was with. We saw so many things on this girls face in a matter of minutes....shame, embarrassment, regret, then... hope? A spark of hope?? It was a 'Real Life' lesson for them seeing that this kind of behavior doesn't bring bliss, but brings shame. It was a 'Real Life Lesson' when they saw the power of looking someone in the eye and telling them how 'valuable' they were to God and to the people of God. The value of one girl.....worth the whole world.