Realization of my call....

This week I have been realizing more about who I am in Christ and where I am called than I have for a long time. I am not called to be a pastor. I am called to join hearts and denomination in students. I am called to help them grow and realize their own value to Christ and to love them and support them. I am called to show up and encourage them in their own relationship with God so they can experience who He is! I am not perfect. I am not all-knowing. I am nothing more than a child of God that shows up and loves teenagers when given the opportunity! In the past 6 months I have seen 17 of my students stand up in front of hundreds of people and commit their lives to Jesus! Did I personally lead them in a prayer to make that commitment? No, I didn't. But I did show up and give them the opportunity to attend things that if I hadnt showed up I dont know that they would have gone. Thank you Jesus for allowing me the opportunity to love these kids and have a small role in watching them come to know you. I am a little emotional about it, but completely humbled and blessed by it. I think I am called to be a facilitator... i dont know. but i will continue!

Forgiveness

I've been doing some thinking about the forgive and forget saying. I'm not a fan. Forgive, yes 100% we have to forgive for our own well-being as well as the one we are forgiving. However, forget? My take is we forgive and move forward. We learn from the situation and try to not end up in a recurring cycle. If someone shares something that u told them in confidence you forgive and love them but you choose wisely the information you share with them. If u borrow someone money and they don't ever pay you back.. Forgive them but don't continue to borrow the money. We can love and respect people but we need to consider their role and their expectation in our lives. My take.. Forgive and move forward. Learn from your situations and experiences. When possible learn from others experiences and save yourself the heartache! Always forgive. When you refuse to forgive you are the one that loses.

just show up

Sometimes you just gotta show up. God is doing amazing things in my youth group! I am so excited and grateful! I took students to a youth rally on Oct 18-20 and God is rockin their worlds! A student had healing in her joints. A student was filled of the emptiness she had and healed from her torment of self-mutilation and suicidal attempts and thoughts. She has been given a dream to write to other students struggling in similar areas. I have a student who has risen to be a leader. She has committed her life to God and has stepped out in praying aloud and leading her fellow students. I have young men wanting to serve God and filled with joy even in bummer times! I am still me, but God is allowing me, just me, to have an impact and share in joy, in sorrow, in fear, in dreams with amazing young people!

thank you Jesus for love me for just me.