Wow. A challenge. I've got to admit I wasn't totally prepared for it. I mean, I knew it was going to happen sometime, but I had no idea how to answer it.
Last night, during Wednesday night junior high youth group, I was confronted by one of my small group girls. I had always seen her as a very strong girl. Quiet, but very strong. Her health background is one that amazes me and she talks about how lucky she is to even be alive. She uses this as a primary source in reaching out to others and spreading Christ's love. However, last night, as Chris talked about prayer and the intimacy of that time with God, our small groups were encouraged to be open and honest in a letter to our King. While it was a challenging thing for most, if not all of the students, this girl decided she needed immediate guidance. And who do you go to for guidance in the church? A pastor? Eh, you could. It may be a little difficult to get in contact with them. But my role as a small group leader has put me into the position to guide and direct the lives of junior highers.
As the night went on, I saw her face. Sad. Lonely. Lost. I could not imagine what she was going through. This strong little seventh grader looking so weak and defeated. She came up to me at the end of the night and asked me to read her letter to God. Sure enough, sad, lonely, lost, were in that letter somewhere. She proceeded to ask me what she was doing wrong in her walk with God and how she could fix it all. She couldn't hear him anymore. She still believed, or so she thought she did. She was confused and missed being a real close friend and child to her Father. My words were probably not as great as they could've been. I know that the last thing she wanted to hear was the cliche to "just keep praying about it". But I, myself, became lost in her confusion. And I have been wondering ever since if I can live up to this constant challenge. I put myself in this position thinking I could handle it. And I'm sure I can, but wow, that one really stumped me...
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