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What you don\u2019t know about Youth Ministry is\u2026<\/p>\n
it hurts.<\/p>\n
It hurts to be a parent, a leader, or a friend of someone and see them fall away from God. One of my greatest pains in life has been sitting back and hearing one of my former youth say, \u201cI don\u2019t believe in God anymore.\u201d The person may have worded it differently but the fact is, it broke my heart. It didn\u2019t just break my heart because I felt as though I had failed as a leader; it broke my heart because I knew it broke God\u2019s heart too. My job as a parent and as a leader is to \u2018plant the seed\u2019 of Jesus Christ and share His Word and His Hope with the ones He places in my path. What you do with that seed is up to you.<\/p>\n
What you don\u2019t understand about youth ministry is that we are not just teachers or leaders\u2026we are parents. Yes, I am a mother of 2 young, sweet but crazy, adorable but wild, temperamental yet amazing, boys. Carson is 3 years old and Asher just turned 1 on November 25th. I have my hands full with my boys, but I also have several teenagers, young girls, and even college students that I consider to be my children as well. They may not know it, but they are family just like my own even when I don\u2019t see them as often as I used to. I pray for them, worry for them, and try my best to guide them in God\u2019s way. My prayer for all my children is that they will find God\u2019s will, live by His Light, and love the life He has blessed them with. I can\u2019t wait to see how God uses the youth of this generation to make a difference!<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, not all children live for God and stay on the straight and narrow path. Seeing your child, blood or not, fall away from God, is the hardest thing a parent can go through. I know that one day I may have to face this with my own children, but I also know that God can give me strength to handle things I cannot imagine. I pray each day for unfathomable faith for my children and hope that they will stay by the Lord\u2019s side every step of their way. As a parent, I am doing my best to raise my children in a Christian home, but in this world, it is a constant battle. Know that your parents and leaders are trying their best and doing all that they can to protect you and guide you in this world. Give them a break and go to them when you are struggling. Trust that they are there for you. Though you think they don\u2019t understand, they care for you more than you can imagine. Know that they are with you every step of the way (even when you don\u2019t want them to be) and they want what is best for you. Trust me, one day you will understand.<\/p>\n
As a parent and a youth leader, I want you to know first that you are loved. Your family, your parents, and your leaders loves you more than you can imagine. The days that they seem to be distant or so far away from you that they just can\u2019t understand, just know that someone out there loves you and is doing all they can to take care of you.<\/p>\n
Second, know that when your heart breaks, it never breaks alone. It may seem like it, but you are never alone. In high school, I remember my mom telling me that she wished she could take the pain away from me after I was heartbroken from a break up. At the time, I thought she was crazy, but I now I understand what she means. My boys are too young for that kind of drama for now, but when one of my other children, my G.A. girls or youth from the past, or my friends and youth at my church today, feels broken\u2026my heart breaks with them. They cry and I cry because I know what they are going through and though they may feel like I\u2019m 1,000 years older and don\u2019t understand, I do care for them. They are not alone and neither are you. Where one heart breaks, others break with it. The Lord is with you and waiting for you to understand His purpose.<\/p>\n
Third, you will be missed. As a teenager, I remember thinking if I ran away or moved to another area, no one would ever miss me. I couldn\u2019t wait to be old enough to drive so I could just get out of this little town and never look back. I wondered who would call or if anyone would care, but I felt as though no one would mind at all. My life has shown me that no matter what stage of life you are in, you will be missed. Somewhere, someone would miss you. Your parents, your grandparents, your siblings, and family all care for you. Believe it or not, the students in your class, your teachers, and even your worst enemies would miss you as well. Your life, your love, and your witness is stronger than you realize. Stay true to who God created you to be and never give up.<\/p>\n
Most importantly, know that God will never leave your side. No matter what you are going through, no matter where you are headed, the Lord will never leave your side. Seek Him first always and His will will be revealed to you.<\/p>\n
May God Bless you and show you His Grace every day!<\/p>\n
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A Letter from Your Mom<\/p>\n
What you don\u2019t understand
\nIs I\u2019m trying my best
\nI\u2019m working so hard
\nAnd never get rest<\/p>\n
My tears come at night
\nWhen no one\u2019s around
\nI cry on my pillow
\nWithout making a sound<\/p>\n
I put on a smile
\nWhen the sun starts to rise
\nMy heart is still aching
\nAs I open my eyes<\/p>\n
I pray for the moment
\nYou\u2019ll remember His Word
\nThe verses I taught you
\nThe sermons you heard<\/p>\n
Will you ever go back
\nTo the way you once knew
\nThe life you once lived
\nThe child that I grew<\/p>\n
The hopeful innocence
\nAnd smiling face
\nThe love and peace
\nI could see His Grace<\/p>\n
Where did I go wrong
\nAs I taught you the way
\nDid I mess up too bad
\nOr forget to pray<\/p>\n
You are my child
\nForever you\u2019ll be
\nMy hope is in Christ
\nFor your destiny<\/p>\n
Just remember His love
\nWhen all seems to fail
\nSeek Him for wisdom
\nAnd you will prevail<\/p>\n
Come back to the One
\nWho Created it all
\nYou\u2019re forgiven, my child
\nI\u2019ve forgotten the fall<\/p>\n
The time will come
\nThat you\u2019ll understand
\nEvery moment of struggle
\nWas a part of His plan<\/p>\n
I know I\u2019m not cool
\nOr even your friend
\nBut I\u2019m your family for always
\nUntil the end<\/p>\n
So when struggles come
\nOr you feel so lost
\nCome to me
\nNo matter the cost<\/p>\n
I know you\u2019re hurting
\nI see your face
\nI pray each day
\nFor God\u2019s sweet Grace<\/p>\n
The struggles will fade
\nIf you\u2019ll turn back to Him
\nJust fall to your knees
\nAnd let go of them<\/p>\n
It\u2019ll all make sense
\nIn His timing alone
\nJust don\u2019t give up
\nYou\u2019re almost home<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What you don\u2019t know about Youth Ministry is\u2026 it hurts. It hurts to be a parent, a leader, or a friend of someone and see them fall away from God. One of my greatest pains in life has been sitting back and hearing one of my former youth say, \u201cI don\u2019t believe in God anymore.\u201d … Continue reading What You Don’t Know About Ministry<\/span>