When I tell people that I work with teenagers I get so many responses. Are you crazy? They could not pay me enough to work with teenagers. Are you a glutton for punishment? The list goes on.
Over recent months I have had a lot of things disrupt and discourage me in my ministry to youth. Parents who expect me to be a miracle worker and want their youth changed immediately, parents who think my job is to baby sit their youth (i.e. take to and from church, feed them) or parents that think that being controlling is the way to be.
Thankfully, I have some awesome parents as well. One mom sent me a Facebook message thanking me for all that I do for her youth. I have another mom who is always ready to step in and help when I need it. I am so thankful for these parents. It is these parents who make me feel I am making a difference in their teenager's lives.
One thing I do not like is when any one complains about my youth or accuses them of things they do not do. Just as if they are my own children, I will fight for them, defend them and give them the best I can. They eat my food, trash my house, drive me crazy but God has entrusted them to me. My job is to lead them to a relationship with Jesus, teach them how to live out their faith in a world that is getting harder and harder to stay strong in. I take that responsibility seriously. Sometimes I am a parent to them because they need that from me.
So why work with youth? First and foremost that is the calling God has put on my life. Secondly, I love teenagers! Sure I get lots of drama, anger, mood swings but when a Bible study runs over because they are asking questions that makes up for it. When I have youth that have moved on to young adults and still call me for advice, that makes up for it. And when I watch the joy of a youth accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour, well you can imagine the depth of my feelings.
I have been working with youth for over 25 years and I always joke that my time will soon be over. But I have this feeling God is going to keep where I am for many years to come!
From my first ever group of teenagers I worked with (Peggy, Mimi, Esther, Judy, Ronda, Julie, La Verne and Bobby) to my current group of crazies (Ashley S, Ashley K, Tiana, Wyeth, Elena, Joshua, Tyus, Quentin, Anthony and Sean), I am so thankful for you. You are the reason I plot and plan and pray to reach you and your friends. You are what keeps me up at night, praying and worrying about the things you are going through. You are the reason a 48 year old woman stays up all night at lock ins, plays laser tag, goes to six Flags (and I don't like big rides anymore!). You are the reason I push you to be more than you are because God has an awesome plan for you. I want to make sure you are as ready as you can be to step out,
Thank you, God, for giving me the joy and honor for working with a group that most people don't even like to be around! This is why I work with youth! And this is why I will continue to, no matter what people say or what Satan does to discourage me.
"I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength" - Philippans 4:13
