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wow. i feel like i’ve packed about a year into the past month.
and i feel like i’ve packed about half of that year into the past week.
i’m really tired. but it’s the good kind of tired. the kind of good you feel when you’ve pushed yourself past your limits for something greater than yourself. we should feel this way every week.
a little over a month ago, i had no idea i was going to ever really get to hang out with kids again. what a gift. four or five years ago, i made the life decision to officially move on from youth ministry with kids. it was easily the most difficult decision of my life. it was the right decision, but it still rocked my world.
because of our situation, i’ve needed to step back in to youth ministry for a little while. here’s what i’ve learned:
logan and aanna did a great job of leading our kids over the past three and a half years. their imprint will be on the lives of these kids for a lifetime. i’m not sure i would have ever got to see that so personally without the close-up look i’ve had the past month. chris and nina have had the same influence. it has been amazing to see the way the kids have hung on to these two through these difficult days. each one of them have been deeply committed to the kids, and the kids know that. it’s incredible to see the kid’s faces light up when each of them walk in the room. the kids will miss nina deeply as she moves on to the next phase of her life. man, do those young girls love her! i still love to teach kids the word and to challenge them to godliness. i still love to play with kids and see them come out of their shells and laugh and enjoy life. it’s still one of the most amazing things i ever get to be part of. i am not built for all-nighters anymore. i can still stay up all night, but my 57-year-old body takes too long to recuperate. i’m still groggy. i am still never shocked by the level of gross fun a kid can sink to. the same goes for the adults who lead and mentor them. minced garlic…frosting…jalapenos…nacho cheese sauce…pickles…syrup…tabasco…chili powder…all piled on an oreo cookie. oh…and don’t forget a hefty squeeze of toothpaste on top. it was a spiritual experience for the guys that tried it. i would have done it, if it hadn’t included the minced garlic. maybe. our kids are going to be in good hands as we go forward. we have so many spiritually gifted and godly people at north point! parents have stepped up in fantastic ways to make sure the kids are cared for. we had an unbelievable meeting tonight with thirty-two of our NP young adults and i was blown away by their love for our kids and their willingness to invest in their lives. the greatest thing i learned? in spite of how much i love kids and youth ministry, my heart is content with what i get to do with adults at north point. i realize it is still youth ministry, tho. it’s just with kids that are older. somehow, i guess i’m just glutton for disrespect.
a final note: this was a great sunday!
it was cool to see the kids still enjoying each other the way they were doing it all night on friday.
the music was sweet, as usual. i love how the band leads our singing with such an honest expression of their own musicianship and discipleship…while they reflect the personality of our family, at the same time. i love to start my week this way.
no clanging communion trays or unplanned, powered-down video projection this week. in fact, the communion servers seemed to pass it out without problems. makes the whole event kind of dull, tho. i wonder if they are calling practices during the week. i hear there’s hope for the directionally challenged.
the summer months are officially over and we could officially have a problem this coming sunday. the 11:15 hour is definitely packed and i wonder if this is going to be the week when everybody decides to come on the same sunday? if i were you, i wouldn’t want to miss this week.
it could be another great sunday.
remember…the law cannot make you live your life in a way that is honorable and pleasing to god. nor can the law stop you from living that kind of life. so how will you live this week?
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