Dear Susie: What do you do with all the clothing from the mag’s photo shoots? Do you give them to charity or a girl in need? Or do you put them in the Brio closet? Or do they belong to a Brio staff person?
Curious
Dear Curious: If you’re referring to the annual Brio Girl photo shoot, the girls keep the clothing. (Some of the clothes are new—gifts from us—and some of them are their own clothes.) If you’re talking about photos in general, our design team assigns a photographer (usually in North America) to take a photo, and the people he photographs come wearing their own clothing.
Dear Susie: My parents think I’m one person when I’m not. I have trouble being myself around them because I’m afraid of what Mom and Dad will think of me. I like guys, and I love hanging out with my friends, but my parents think I only want to spend time with my friends. I love my parents, but sometimes I just wish that I had a totally different family, because it seems my folks don’t understand me.
Two-Faced
Dear Two-Faced: Your parents need help understanding you, and guess what! You’re the only one who can help them with that. The best way to let your parents get to know you is to share your feelings. Of course, you’ll need to do this in a gentle and respectful manner.
I’m guessing you’re already doing this with your friends, but when you come home, you probably tend to shut down. The only way you can grow closer to your folks is by communicating with them. They probably already know you’re interested in guys; after all, that’s how God wired you. So don’t be afraid to talk it out.
Dear Susie: Is pledging allegiance to the flag wrong? My friend doesn’t pledge the flag, because she feels that doing so makes it an idol, and of course it's wrong to put idols before God. God is way more important to me than a flag.
Torn
Dear Torn: I appreciate your desire to keep God first in your life, but saluting the flag isn’t making it an idol. It’s simply showing your allegiance to the country you love. I wish more people would take pride in our country and show respect for the flag.
Dear Susie: I’ve just started reading Brio. I love it and read each issue cover to cover. But lately, I’ve been discouraged. I read articles about girls who just found the Lord, and they have more faith then I do!
I’ve had Jesus in my heart for seven years. I also read about girls who finally “gave their lives to God.” I want to do that, but how do I do it? I’ve been reading my Bible daily, but I don’t seem to get anything out of it. Please help me!
Perplexed
Dear Perplexed: First of all, I’m glad you’re enjoying the magazine. But let’s look at a couple of contradictions in your note. You say you’ve had Jesus in your heart for seven years, yet you don’t know how to give your life to Him.
When you place your faith in Christ, ask Him to forgive your sins and start living for Him. You not only have Him in your heart, but you’ve given your life to Him.
Maybe what you’re trying to identify is a lack of spiritual growth. I asked Christ into my heart when I was 9, but it wasn’t until I was 14 that it really started to click and I began to understand what being a Christian was all about. That’s when I started to grow spiritually.
You say the new Christians you’re reading about have more faith than you do. I think what you’re seeing is their excitement in serving Christ, and maybe you’re feeling you lack that.
Keep reading your Bible! But before you open it, ask God to speak to you through the Scriptures. Join a Bible study or get a teen study Bible that will help you understand what you’re reading. I’ve written several for teen girls that you can purchase through Focus on the Family.
