Filled to Overflowing

Last night was our final "regular" youth group of the year (we do something each week over the summer but it is all social stuff), and in many ways it was a pretty incredible evening. Looking around the room, seeing some of them washing each others' feet, hearing them share where they have seen God in the past year, and realizing I'd been able to witness some of the same moments they mentioned as well was amazing. It's hard to believe I've been with them an entire school year already. It seems like just yesterday I was standing around awkwardly wondering who to talk to first and what in the world to say to these students who didn't know or trust me anymore than they did the random guy on the street they passed. Now I look around the room and I have memories connected to each of the 23 or so kids sitting there. I'm more comfortable with some than with others, but I have come to deeply love and care about and for each of these young people. Their smiles, tears, faces, laughter, antics, and silliness are part of my story now, and I am so grateful for the chance I've had to serve with them. We're not going anywhere yet, but I know that when the time comes to move to another congregation somewhere I'll be so sad to say goodbye, to not get to watch some of these kids finish growing up. I guess that's partly what ministry is, getting to be part of a slice of someone's journey, not always the whole thing. Only God knows what seeds have been sown this past year, we've seen some amazing growth in some kids and maybe not as much outward growth in others but that's okay. The Holy Spirit is the one who does the work, we just stay available for when the Spirit might want to use us.

So, beautiful, amazing young men and women, thank you. Thank you for teaching me how to play again. Thank you for pushing me in my own faith as you ask difficult questions. Thank you for the hugs, the stories, the chance to see Jesus working in each of you. Your beautiful faces have brought so much joy to me this year.