13 Reasons Why....Not.

I'm sure if you have teenagers, or even if you don't, you have probably heard of the latest Netflix series that is getting lots of attention. It's a show called 13 Reasons Why and it focuses on Teen Suicide. It's only 13 episodes and you can only see it on Netflix. I know you are wondering, so I will go ahead and say, yes I watched it. Why did I watch it? Well. I've been asking myself that ever since I have finished it. I have a big heart for teens. I always have. I wish that I hadn't watched this series, because it left me feeling depressed and desperate. Depressed for the feelings that I know are really out there from teens who are bullied. Teens who are insecure. Teens who are afraid to not agree with other kids. The series focuses on a 17 year old girl named Hannah who records her 13 reasons for committing suicide on cassette tapes. The cassette tapes are dedicated to a person each time. After she committed suicide, a friend mailed out her tapes to the first person on the tapes and then that person forwarded it on to person #2 and so on. Tape #11 is for Clay Jensen. The series starts with Clay receiving the tapes and each episode tells the story as he listens to each tape. It's a very dark series, and I wouldn't recommend that you watch it. Unless, you are letting your children watch it. I know that teen suicide is a very real thing. While I don't think it's this show's intention to promote it, I feel like if someone is thinking about it, then their decision would be made by the end of it. The truth of the matter is, how can someone truly know what their teenager is thinking? This show is very graphic about things that happened to Hannah and about the way she commits suicide at the end. I will go on and tell you, her last tape is for Mr. Porter. Yes, an adult. He was the last person to have a long conversation with her prior to her suicide. And, he did absolutely nothing.


It really hurts my heart that so many kids deal with feelings like this. We live in an unfair world. We live in a world where the good people usually suffer the worst. I was a sensitive kid. I never wanted anyone upset with me and if they were, it would destroy my personality for days. I'm still like that to an extent. I get my feelings hurt very easy. I did as a kid too. So what can we offer kids who feel like this? A post on facebook answered that very question. It's a very simple post called: 13 Reasons Why Not. Here they are.


1.You Are Loved (John 3:16)
2. You Have A Purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11)
3. You Are Given Strength To Persevere (1 Corinthians 10:13)
4. You Will Be Guided (Psalm 32:8)
5. You Are Not Alone (Deuteronomy 31:6)
6. You Were Created By Him and For His Glory (Isaiah 43:7)
7. He Will Take Away Your Worries (1 Peter 5:7)
8. He Will Comfort You (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
9. He Will Carry Your Burdens (Psalm 55:22)
10. He Will Forgive (Mark 11:25)
11. He Will Give You Hope (Romans 15:13)
12. He Will Deliver (Matthew 7:7)
13. He Dwells in You (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)


Maybe if we can all remember these 13 reasons, we can go through life a little easier. Life is hard for an adult, much less for a kid in school. I really don't think I would have made it through school so easily without my relationship with God. Everyone knew that I went to church and that I believed in God, but no one looked down on me for it. I never forced it on anyone, but if they would ask me, I would share my story. I only remember one person in school who was just plain out mean to me and it was for no reason at all. Her name was Nikki something. I'm glad that I can't remember the rest. She would see me walking down the hallway and just jump towards me like she was ready to fight. I never did anything to her, and I never fought back. I'm so thankful for my youth group, and for my parents who brought me up the way they did.


I just hope that I can be a light for the kids out there who feel like they have no reason to go on. I know that it's hard, but as their role models, parents, teachers, and friends, we have to be that light that they so desperately need.


"He calls each and every star by name. It's not likely that he's forgotten yours." -Louie Giglio