A brief sigh of relief went through the baggy pants community today…

A judge has decided a law banning sagging pants in this town is unconstitutional after a teenager spent a night in jail on accusations he exposed too much of his underwear… Voters in Riviera Beach approved the law in March. A first offense for sagging pants carries a $150 fine or community service, and habitual offenders face the possibility of jail time. Proposals to ban saggy pants are gaining ground in several places around the U.S. [MSNBC]

Me personally, I enjoy a well fitted pair of slacks and my cheeks well covered - but that’s simply preference. It’s just one more notch in the belt of an older generation making sure the younger one disdains them more. I hate seeing things like this happen. Don’t authorities have anything better to do besides police fashion?

Working with unchurched has taught me many things. One of those is that they are greatly misunderstood by adult authorities. They’re treated like idiot, delinquents and constantly talked down to. Most adults in their world shown them no respect, but expect respect in return. It’s a bad cycle that continues to divide the ages.

You’d be surprised how easy it is to earn a kids respect by just treating them like a human being. They may look different or be covered in tats or piercings, but their heart is the same on the inside. We all carry our baggage and wounds - it just worn differently on each of us. One of my greatest joy in youth ministry is seeing generations come together as friends, mentors and co followers in Christ. It’s a beautiful thing.

If Jesus loved the kid in baggy pants, so should you. So instead of scoffing or looking away when you see a kid that looks weird or off putting, talk to them. You never know what can happen.