Why do I care? Why am I writing about something that is so controversial in a time like this? What more is there to be said? I mean, we’ve already had the oh-so-heated red cup debate, so what more is there to say?

Actually, there’s a lot to say, a lot to learn and a lot to share. And, no, none of it has to do with a red cup during Christmas season.

The truth is, there’s not much being written in popular media about Christianity. What is being written is often spun negatively, which is fine. As we all know, Christians are becoming a minority to worldly views.

As you all have probably seen, Facebook is becoming pretty well known for sharing articles. Websites like Elite Daily, Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, etc. have all been using social media platforms as a way to share what its writers have put together. A common trend for all these writers? Love. Relationships. Friendships. #Struggles. Age-related similarities. Letters to a no-named person from the past.

All great things to write about. But, the thing that frustrated me the most, was that all of these articles provided no solution to any problems. They simply allowed the reader to feel nostalgic, or sad, or sit in regret with the writer. None of the writers provided advice, except for the occasional, “You go, girl! You deserve better!” or a sassy remark that may make readers feel empowered for a few minutes, only to return to the state they were in before.

Not exactly a winning presidential speech is it? So, why am I writing? Why do I care? Because, like many ladies today, I’m feeling torn. I am 21 years old and struggling, but maybe not in a way that you’d think.

I’m struggling, because so many people my age are living a life that I want to protect them from, a life that I’ve fallen prey to a couple of times, but ultimately is not the life that I want to live. At this age, many of us are in college or getting our first adult jobs. It’s difficult. It’s a cultural norm for others to expect us to drink, date around, sleep with someone before marriage, gossip and slack off on studies for the sake of Friday night.

Trust me, I get it. I understand the appeal of letting go and not caring. But, what I’ve learned, is that the lifestyle I described above, is not me. It’s not my faith. And it’s not what God would want me to do.

Whoa, wait a second. Did I just say “God”? Yep, I sure did. And guess what? He’s the solution to all problems that all the articles fail to provide.

He is the reason for everything that I write. And before you write me off and think I’m miss perfect, sitting pretty behind the Mac I’m typing on, I’m not. I’m just as flawed and broken as the next person. The difference? Jesus made me whole – scratch that – continues to make me whole, no matter what mistakes I’ve made. And that isn’t something that just applies to me. It applies to you, too.

So. If you’re willing to give a girl a chance to help you figure out this crazy thing called life and reach a hand out to God, where he’s already waiting, I’ll try not to disappoint. The good thing is, that the Big Guy up in the sky never does. So even if I may fail in some ways, don’t let that discourage you from Him. Oh, and I promise there won’t be any “You go girl!’s” – unless that’s your thing. Then maybe I’ll throw in a few. (;

Until next time,

Kait Nicole