Our other children

There’s a photo on our fridge.
11 students: 6 girls. 5 boys.
1 student leader. My wife and myself.

Anytime I go to that fridge whether to get something to drink or to eat…I see that picture. I do not post the picture in the blog for the privacy of those in the picture. 

Some of those 11 are no longer with us. With us meaning, no more part of our youth group. I admit it hurts. I admit at times I have felt like a failure wondering if what I am doing is the right thing.

I know they are just “kids”. 

Ages 13-19. They have their own minds. Some are already made up. Some want to be there. Some are made to be there.

You try to make it fun for them, but at the same time, you know…and hopefully they do too…that it’s not all about fun. Life is serious. The enemy is a real person only looking for those he can devour. John 10:10 says he only comes to steal, kill and destroy.

“That’s ministry”: That is a phrase I recently heard and for those who are in the ministry or have been in the ministry, you know how true it is.

How do you spell ministry? P-E-O-P-L-E. Yes, people. 😊

But for all those times I have looked at that picture of 11 and wondered and second guessed myself, it makes it all worthwhile when you get a phone call like I did Wednesday.

"Are you busy?" the text said. I replied. 

No response.

Later that night..the phone rings.

I will not go into much detail, but when you hear a voice on the other end of the line and that person says the things this one said and that they are sorry and they love you and they know you have always cared for and been there for them…THAT’S MINISTRY.

I saw a post on social media the other day and I shared it with my youth group. I changed the word “coach” in the post to “youth leader and/or pastor”.

Here is the post:
Why is your coach so demanding of you?
-They see something special in you
-They have high expectations for you
-They want you to create good habits
-They want you to be successful
-They care about you
If your coach pushes you to be your best, don’t be annoyed, be appreciative!

I admit, I can be demanding. But I demand in love. Or I try to at least. All those things the post said:

• -          See something special in you
• -          High expectations for you
• -          Create good habits
• -          Be successful
• -          Care about you to do your best

All those and more. 

My wife and I call the students in our youth “our other children”. And that is not just a phrase we use. We really think of them as our other children.

So to sum up today’s blog: invest in people. It may not look like it at times, but we are planting seeds into people. Now, it’s up to them to receive it. We can’t make them do something they don’t want, but don’t give up. 

💕💕💕💕💕 Keep loving on them. One day those seeds will sprout and blossom.

Until we meet again here or somewhere else, God bless!