What is it all for?

by | Apr 24, 2016 | Youth Ministry

I am currently living in the middle of chaos. Homework to complete for my Cohort. Writing a preteen camp. Writing bible studies for summer camp. Confirming summer activities. Making sure all the registration checks are sent for mission trips. You know all the stuff that is required in student ministry that no one really ever wants to do. I feel like I am just plodding along with my head down trying to get it all done. And when I get in these modes I struggle with spending time with God. I mean, you have to get those check requests turned in!

I remember waking her up one morning for school and discovering she had written the name “God” on the bottom of her foot

hadleyfootOn Facebook they have those memories that pop up to let you see past posts in your timeline that happened on this day, and recently there was one post that came up that immediately brought me to tears. In the movie Toy Story, there is a boy named Andy who has a bunch of toys that come to life when humans aren't around. Andy writes his name on bottom of all this toys, so everyone know they are his. Most importantly though, the toys all know they are his, and they couldn't be more proud to belong to him. My daughter has always been a fan of Toy Story, and as a family we have watched them all countless times. I remember waking her up one morning for school and discovering she had written the name “God” on the bottom of her foot, just as Woody, one of the main characters in Toy Story, had Andy's name written on the bottom of his boot. At first I was confused, but then she explained, “I'm like Woody, mom, but I belong to God.” Tears started flowing. I mean, how could they not be? When that memory popped up on my screen, I was immediately taken back to the purity of that moment and how simple it was for her to acknowledge who she belongs to. God.

This week as I hurry to get everything done, I remember that everything that I am doing is for His Kingdom. It's all for that one student who doesn't yet know she belongs to God, but will soon find out and hopefully say yes to His call this summer. As for me, I remind myself to keep my heart fixed on Him. Maybe I should get my sharpie out.

Lent

by | Feb 24, 2016 | Small Groups, Youth Ministry

crosshandsLent is truly one my most favorite times of the year. Really spending time recognizing the season of Lent has helped me to bring back the wonder of Easter that I feel like I had lost of the years. Growing up the only thing Lent meant to me was fish sticks on Fridays.

The 40 days leading up to Easter have be some of the most life giving, perspective changing days of my entire year. I wanted our students at LIFT to have that same moving experience with God. I didn't want them to wait until they were 30 years old to know Lent was more than fish fridays.

This year I challenged students to hand over something to God that may be keeping them from really connecting with Him. I know that there is this whole practice of “giving up” something for Lent, but to be honest, I am sick of the menial no soda thing. I wanted them to dig a little deeper. Dig past the chocolate and coke. Then once they handed something over to God, I challenged them to have a specific prayer over the next 40 days.

Each student took a purple band and wrote on the inside a special prayer, a name, a situation, or whatever they felt led to write and then wear that band until Easter. We have had to replace lost bands each week for various reasons, but that just tells me that they mean something to those students.

[bctt tweet=”Do you think that's because I have been praying about it everyday Ms. Charlie? Because I have never done that before.”]

prayerbandA 7th-grade boy texted me just this week to say that one of the situations he wrote down has already been changing. “Do you think that's because I have been praying about it everyday Ms. Charlie? Because I have never done that before.”, he told me.

I found this band in our sanctuary while cleaning up after worship last week. I don't know what this student wants their dad to quit, but I have kept this on my desk and joined them in prayer. I am excited see to how God continues to move throughout this Lenten season. Witnessing His power among our students is life changing for me.