big stuf 09 was stinking amazing...i've done youth ministry for almost 20 years now in some form.
god is amazing...i know that! i have lived that. i have learned that. i have seen it. i have felt it...so why does it get so hard sometimes to remember it in every day life.
here's some things the lord refreshed for me this last week...
i love high school students. they rock my face off. these kids are dying to be heard and loved and loved and accepted...and guided. katie is one of my girlies...i've had her in my small group her entire high school career...and i love her. she embodies passion and strength. i need to remember that every day.
my daughter, paige, is awesome...i don't need to tell you that. i love her laughter...this is my candid shot of the "dead puppy" joke. {it's the serious baby from you tube}. one of the gifts that i love is laughter and in that laughter, people are real. i was reminded over and over last week how awesome paige is...not only as my kid, but as a friend, a mentor, a daughter of god.
and my hannah...she's got this stinking heart of gold. full of compassion...and she's no longer a student of mine, but a fellow adult leader. now that just makes my heart sing!!! not any adult leader either, but my paige's adult leader...hannah has a servant's heart. i want more and more of that.
worship is a lifestyle...i know that. i try to live it. it's more than music or singing, but man, did i worship this last week. there's something totally awesome about seeing kids loving god and worshipping him in so many ways...and with total, reckless abandonment.
ayla is no longer in high school...she's a college student as of this fall. she's s real life "cady" from mean girls...on the africa side of things, anyway. ayla always has a way of just "being". i don't really know how to say it differently, but she just gives her EVERYTHING...she's 100% all the time...in fun, in faith, in friendships, in life.
and me...well, i'm a sinner, saved solely by god's grace. living in a world where i struggle every single day with not feeling pretty enough, not being skinny enough, not being just "enough". i love the lord. i seek him. i pray daily, "change me...don't leave me as i am"...and i'm pretty sure that he allowed me to see that change in physical form this last week in my students.
and that, well, that is a total honor and blessing.
we sang together...we cried together...we laughed together...we traveled 18 hours on the bus together...we grew together...we loved together...we snored, well, i snored...we were JUST together.
"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously." micah 6:8
Comments
I LOVE working with teens and pre-teens. Those moments when you just see the Lord touch their souls is amazing.
Blessings to you!
~K
oh the lessons children (or teens) teach us.
(and you SOOO don't need multiples to play along with Way Back When-esday...we'd be thrilled if you play in whichever way you wish!)
Blessings!