‘I was just a child when I felt the saviour lead me.’This is a sentence that resounds in my head and heart when I think of my adolescent years.These years are the most crucial in a person's life. They mark the beginning and the end of a time when some of the most important decisions are made- good or bad.The decisions that determine your future.

What field of study interests me? What are my likes and dislikes? What are my hobbies? What are God's plans for me? What do I want to do with my life?These are questions that are asked at this stage of growth.Answering these questions puts you a step further in your journey.

Friends are an important tool because they either make or mar you on the journey through adolescence.A friend once told me this: I pick my friends like I pick beans.A bit crude, but yes as simple and basic as that.She picks them carefully.Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are applies more to this age group than any other. This is the age group where peer pressure takes a centre stage and affects everything an adolescent says or does.

Another important but not often talked about issue is the opposite sex.These years,emotions and hormones run wild, crushes develop and die, infatuation and lust also get to have their say.All these put together makes an adolescent edgy and a simple mistake with the opposite sex can ruin their future.

Psalm 119:9 says,“How can a young man keep his way pure?By living according to your word.”

There are two things that make a resounding impact in an adolescent’s life. God and Guardians. Colossians 3:20 says,“Children,obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Proverbs 22:6 says,“Train up a child in the way he should go:And when he is old,he will not depart from it.”Very popular scriptures that go hand in hand.The first scripture was said because of the second.For you to be a well-grounded adult,you must have had two things from the scriptures above: Obedience and Training or rather Obedience to training.Training from God and your parents.Though hard to receive,still receive it. You must. It is of utmost importance to your growth.

As for me, the beginning sentence was the story of my adolescent years. God indeed led me, and I must say this, I have no regrets.