Tell Me Pastor

Keep your head up

Dear Pastor,

I wrote to you before I did my grade nine examinations. I passed them and now I am going to high school. I am hoping to get a transfer to go to another school.

I am still having the same problems with my parents. I did not write immediately after you had responded to my earlier letter because I was watching my parent's reaction for a while. Now the problem has got worse and I cannot eat or sleep comfortably. They are driving me crazy. I wish that I had a family that was more caring, and I also wish I had someone with whom I could sit and talk. I wish I had a family that had no problems with my friends and company, or with my correspondence to persons that I see on the street.

Gun shots in the night

When I just began high school, I was boarding in Linstead. However, I became afraid and uncomfortable because I kept hearing gunshots in my surroundings. So, I asked my father whether I could come home. He told my mother and they agreed to let me come home. However I have to stay with my father and he lives with his mother.

When I began staying there, my father's mother started to say that I came there because I wanted to see a 'bus boy'. That is not true. Whenever I get home early from school, she claims that the 'bus boy' picked me up early. If I were to reach late, she claims that the reason is that he picked me up and took me out. Whenever they say these things, I get angry. Right now I feel like doing some bad things, but I don't want to do anything to upset the persons that really care about me.

I hope that you can help me because I cannot take it anymore. I am going to get crazy if something is not done about what is happening to me.

L.G., St. Ann

Dear L.G.

You have to set some goals and remain focused. Your parents are not aware of how much they are hurting you. They think the things that they are saying and doing will help you walk carefully and not become involved with men and other undesirable acquaintances. Some-times parents don't know how to deal with teenagers. Some don't have confidence in their children.

I just want to encourage you to keep your head high. When your grand-mother and others say negative things, just pray and ask God to help you to be wise and to remain respectful to them. Always remember that the conditions under which you live will not be forever. The day will come when you will be on your own and in a position to make your own decisions.

Pastor