Lessons Learned

I was recently encouraged to get back into blogging, seeing as how it has been almost two months since I have done so. With my many excuses in life, from work to school to church and the craziness in between, I have distanced myself from the blogging world to share about it all!

One topic that someone suggested I write about was an update on things with my junior high small group. It's been a little over a year now since I have been involved with the junior high ministry and I have loved every second of it! This school year, I was given a new challenge of having my own small group. Not only have they learned lessons from me, but I have learned from them as well. The new year brought upon a new small group. I don't know what changed throughout Christmas break, but I had a different group of girls return in 2009. Three of my five girls attended the Winter Retreat and we were able to talk and bond more than ever. This closeness, to my surprise, lasted after the Retreat as well! And as those girls opened up, so did the two who couldn't attend.

I have learned about family problems, struggles with eating disorders, TAWG (or lack there of), depression, and of course, boys. Some of these things have been very relateable to me, especially relating to myself when I was a junior higher (I hope I wasn't nearly as annoying about talking about boys though. Haha). On the other hand, though, many of their situations I still have not experienced, nor do I ever hope to, so it's alot more difficult to be an encourager when I can't put myself in their shoes. As of right now, I have one girl whose great grandfather just had a heart attack, one whose aunt has less than two weeks to live according to the doctors due to cancer, and one who is pretty much a loner and has a stuffed bear as a best friend. It's been difficult for me to reach out to these specific girls, but our group has grown just with them sharing and all of us praying, supporting, and crying with each other (yes, tears, and lots of them).

Throughout these times, God has been able to use me as guide towards Him. But in order to lead my girls in His direction, I have had to strengthen myself and keep myself accountable to set an example. My thoughts and actions have changed because I have realized how much those girls look up to me. I am a role model now and my actions, no matter where I go, have been based on that. I still have mistakes and flaws, but I try to better myself for them now, rather than for impressing other people for my benefit. My heart and soul is being poured out to these girls, and because of that, I want my heart to be in the correct place as much as possible.