Christian Womanhood

Be a Kid Again!

by Jaclynn Weber

Jaclynn is one of the three pianists at First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana

My daughter Lyndsay is a year old, and she drinks from a sippy cup. She still wears diapers, and she often cries for what she wants. She just learned how to walk and is still quite wobbly, and, of course, she’s the cutest kid you ever saw (in my own unbiased opinion)! But in many ways, she is still a baby.

Now, if you still drink from a sippy cup, wear diapers, kick and scream on the floor when you want your way, somehow that is not very cute anymore! If I saw you doing that, I would probably tell you to “Grow up and stop acting like a child!”

There are, however, several qualities of children that we grow out of when we become teens and adults that we really should possess throughout our lives, and though we should be maturing in some ways, we should refuse to grow up:

1. Child-like Faith. I was saved at the age of four in my bedroom next to my mom who led me to the Lord. After I prayed, I had no doubts in my mind that I was on my way to Heaven. I did not even think twice about it! I ran outside and played and did whatever four year olds do, and I knew I was saved.

When I became a teenager, however, I began doubting my salvation. I would get scared when I would hear a sermon on Hell, and I would try to analyze and remember how I felt and if I really meant it.

One day I was talking to my dad about it, and he said, “Jaclynn, salvation is not complicated. Who are you trusting in to take you to Heaven?”

I replied, “Jesus,” and he responded, “Then you are saved.”

You see, we tend to make things complicated when God tries to make them simple. It is Satan who confuses and analyzes and questions God’s promises to us. “God is not the author of confusion.…” (I Corinthians 14:33)

Make it easy on yourself. If you are trusting Jesus as the only way to Heaven, then you are saved—end of discussion.

2. Innocence. I do not believe in the sex education program of the public schools. I do not think third and fourth graders need to know the facts of life. They need to be playing jump rope and catching frogs and riding bicycles and having fun.

I was very innocent and naive. I did not know the facts of life until college, and some things I found out weeks before marrying my husband. Am I embarrassed because of that fact? No! In fact, I wish every teenage girl could stay as innocent as I was.

Girls, you have no business talking about things that should only be discussed with a parent or with your husband. You say, “I don’t have a husband yet.” Exactly—you do not need to be discussing the marriage relationship then, do you?

If you are innocent like I was, stay that way until it is time to get married. If someone got a hold of you and told you everything she knew, you do not need to pass that information along.

Immorality is pushed everywhere you look, and our generation has lost the blush on the cheeks, the innocent look of purity that you see on the face of a bride on her wedding day. We need to get back to the childlike innocence we once had. Remember, the more you save yourself now, the happier you will be later on.

3. Relationship With Parents. Little girls love their daddies. I was always a daddy’s girl growing up, and Lyndsay already adores her dad.

When we are little, it is so easy to run and jump in Daddy’s lap, to bury our head in his shoulder and cry when we are hurting, to make him feel loved. But something happens when we reach adolescence. Our bodies start changing, our emotions go crazy, and we start noticing other guys. We are growing up, and that sometimes makes parents scared. Their little girl is becoming a woman, and they feel older and no longer needed. It’s easier as a teenager to feel your parents are rejecting you, but the truth is, they are also insecure. They need your love and affection more than ever, and it is your job to make them feel like you want to be with them.

Pull closer to them instead of pushing them away. Talk to them instead of locking yourself in your room. If you don’t think you need them now, you will one day when you have your own family. Never lose that child-like love for your parents.

4. Boldness. I was a very bold child who told my neighbors they were going to Hell because they were smoking and led neighborhood children around the streets, Bibles in hand, shouting, “Let’s go on a soul hunt!” and singing “The B-I-B-L-E” at the top of our lungs.

As a junior higher, my youth director would send me out to witness to an entire football team, and I had no fear. I just assumed they would listen to me and get saved—why not?

Something happened as I got older, though, and it seemed that the older I became, the more scared I was of taking a stand and witnessing to people. I have often said that junior highers are some of the best soul winners I have met, and high schoolers are some of the most scared and timid soul winners I know.

We become more aware of ourselves as we get older, and we worry more about what people think of us. The honest truth is that God commands us to be a soul winner everywhere we go, and most of the people to whom we talk will really listen and get saved if we have the courage to tell them.

When I traveled on tour for Hyles-Anderson College, part of our job was to witness everywhere we went. At first, we were timid and shy, but we soon learned to be bold and confidant, and we won truck drivers, cowboys in Montana, mountain people in Colorado, surfers in California, hotel clerks, and everyone in between. It was an awesome experience, and it made me realize how many people really will listen and trust Jesus. They just need someone to tell them.

5. Good, Clean Fun. Last but not least, we need to learn to how to have fun again. I hear so many teenagers say that they are bored in the summer. All their mom does is make them clean all the time! Wow! They must have spotless homes! Did you know that if you are bored, it is because you are a boring person? Be creative and plan something to do. The Bible tells us we should not be idle, and that is one of the biggest reasons why teens get into trouble—they are bored.

I am not talking about partying late at night, drinking, doing drugs, etc. I am talking about fun that has no regrets, fun that does not make you lose your senses or wake up with a hangover or to a ruined life in the morning.

Mrs. Belinda Gaona, the dean of women at Hyles-Anderson College, told me one time to get my head screwed on straight and use my brain! After all, that’s why God gave it to me. Don’t be a boring person and do remember my mom’s famous statement: if you want to have a good time, take a good time with you!

Yes, we should be maturing into beautiful young ladies, but we also do not want to become grouchy, boring old people! Some of you need to stop acting so mature and learn how to be a kid again—it’s really fun!

Additional Resources - The Highest Calling by Jaclynn Weber


		Be a Kid Again! by Jaclynn Weber Jaclynn is one of the three pianists at First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana My daughter Lyndsay is a year old, and she drinks from a sippy cup. She still wears diapers, and she often cries for what she wants. She just learned how to walk and is still quite wobbly, and, of course, she’s the cutest kid you ever saw (in my own unbiased opinion)! But in many ways, she is still a baby. Now, if you still drink from a sippy cup, wear diapers, kick and scream on the floor when you want your way, somehow that is not very cute anymore! If I saw you doing that, I would probably tell you to “Grow up and stop acting like a child!” There are, however, several qualities of children that we grow out of when we become teens and adults that we really should possess throughout our lives, and though we should be maturing in some ways, we should refuse to grow up: 1. Child-like Faith. I was saved at the age of four in my bedroom next to my mom who led me to the Lord. After I prayed, I had no doubts in my mind that I was on my way to Heaven. I did not even think twice about it! I ran outside and played and did whatever four year olds do, and I knew I was saved. When I became a teenager, however, I began doubting my salvation. I would get scared when I would hear a sermon on Hell, and I would try to analyze and remember how I felt and if I really meant it. One day I was talking to my dad about it, and he said, “Jaclynn, salvation is not complicated. Who are you trusting in to take you to Heaven?” I replied, “Jesus,” and he responded, “Then you are saved.” You see, we tend to make things complicated when God tries to make them simple. It is Satan who confuses and analyzes and questions God’s promises to us. “God is not the author of confusion.…” (I Corinthians 14:33) Make it easy on yourself. If you are trusting Jesus as the only way to Heaven, then you are saved—end of discussion. 2. Innocence. I do not believe in the sex education program of the public schools. I do not think third and fourth graders need to know the facts of life. They need to be playing jump rope and catching frogs and riding bicycles and having fun. I was very innocent and naive. I did not know the facts of life until college, and some things I found out weeks before marrying my husband. Am I embarrassed because of that fact? No! In fact, I wish every teenage girl could stay as innocent as I was. Girls, you have no business talking about things that should only be discussed with a parent or with your husband. You say, “I don’t have a husband yet.” Exactly—you do not need to be discussing the marriage relationship then, do you? If you are innocent like I was, stay that way until it is time to get married. If someone got a hold of you and told you everything she knew, you do not need to pass that information along. Immorality is pushed everywhere you look, and our generation has lost the blush on the cheeks, the innocent look of purity that you see on the face of a bride on her wedding day. We need to get back to the childlike innocence we once had. Remember, the more you save yourself now, the happier you will be later on. 3. Relationship With Parents. Little girls love their daddies. I was always a daddy’s girl growing up, and Lyndsay already adores her dad. When we are little, it is so easy to run and jump in Daddy’s lap, to bury our head in his shoulder and cry when we are hurting, to make him feel loved. But something happens when we reach adolescence. Our bodies start changing, our emotions go crazy, and we start noticing other guys. We are growing up, and that sometimes makes parents scared. Their little girl is becoming a woman, and they feel older and no longer needed. It’s easier as a teenager to feel your parents are rejecting you, but the truth is, they are also insecure. They need your love and affection more than ever, and it is your job to make them feel like you want to be with them. Pull closer to them instead of pushing them away. Talk to them instead of locking yourself in your room. If you don’t think you need them now, you will one day when you have your own family. Never lose that child-like love for your parents. 4. Boldness. I was a very bold child who told my neighbors they were going to Hell because they were smoking and led neighborhood children around the streets, Bibles in hand, shouting, “Let’s go on a soul hunt!” and singing “The B-I-B-L-E” at the top of our lungs. As a junior higher, my youth director would send me out to witness to an entire football team, and I had no fear. I just assumed they would listen to me and get saved—why not? Something happened as I got older, though, and it seemed that the older I became, the more scared I was of taking a stand and witnessing to people. I have often said that junior highers are some of the best soul winners I have met, and high schoolers are some of the most scared and timid soul winners I know. We become more aware of ourselves as we get older, and we worry more about what people think of us. The honest truth is that God commands us to be a soul winner everywhere we go, and most of the people to whom we talk will really listen and get saved if we have the courage to tell them. When I traveled on tour for Hyles-Anderson College, part of our job was to witness everywhere we went. At first, we were timid and shy, but we soon learned to be bold and confidant, and we won truck drivers, cowboys in Montana, mountain people in Colorado, surfers in California, hotel clerks, and everyone in between. It was an awesome experience, and it made me realize how many people really will listen and trust Jesus. They just need someone to tell them. 5. Good, Clean Fun. Last but not least, we need to learn to how to have fun again. I hear so many teenagers say that they are bored in the summer. All their mom does is make them clean all the time! Wow! They must have spotless homes! Did you know that if you are bored, it is because you are a boring person? Be creative and plan something to do. The Bible tells us we should not be idle, and that is one of the biggest reasons why teens get into trouble—they are bored. I am not talking about partying late at night, drinking, doing drugs, etc. I am talking about fun that has no regrets, fun that does not make you lose your senses or wake up with a hangover or to a ruined life in the morning. Mrs. Belinda Gaona, the dean of women at Hyles-Anderson College, told me one time to get my head screwed on straight and use my brain! After all, that’s why God gave it to me. Don’t be a boring person and do remember my mom’s famous statement: if you want to have a good time, take a good time with you! Yes, we should be maturing into beautiful young ladies, but we also do not want to become grouchy, boring old people! Some of you need to stop acting so mature and learn how to be a kid again—it’s really fun! Additional Resources - The Highest Calling by Jaclynn Weber