Sunday, November 16, 2003

So I just got home from the luncheon, which was very nice. Our student ministries pastor did a great job of honoring those of us who are involved with our teenagers. And he invited a couple who used to serve as volunteer youth leaders in their old church to encourage us in what we’re doing and offer advice in being better leaders. It was a great time.

There was a short video where he had a few of the kids say something in appreciation for their small group leader and there were quite a few tears as we heard what our kids think of us. For those who were shy of the camera, there were notes. I had a few notes handed to me - and this is why I’m humbled. Because what these girls said blew me away. You hope that you’re having an impact, but you never really know - but from what a couple of them said, I’ve helped them in their faith journeys and in life journeys as well. I had no idea that some throw-away comment I made months ago kept one of them from making a dreadful life decision. It brought home to me the awesome responsibility God has entrusted to me as their confidant, friend, mentor, sister, discipler.

There’s so much that I don’t do and should be doing - I don’t pray for them enough. That is going to change. I don’t spend enough time with them one on one. That is going to change. And I need to make sure that my own faith journey is on track - that I’m seeking after the Lord with all that is in me. I admit that I’ve been slipping on that lately. That is going to change.

If you had asked me 15 years ago if I pictured myself as a youth worker I would have laughed. Just three short years later I was pursuing after Young Life leadership at Robinson high school in Fairfax, VA. I served as a leader in that school community for 4+ years - and then spent 5+ years on staff with Young Life. I never imagined that I would be called to ministry with teenagers, but I love them like crazy. It’s a God thing, that’s for sure.

Thanks, Lord, for the gift of being a part of your work in the lives of a few girls. I pray that You help me to be the leader they need and want and that I’ll always point them to You.