Friends

When I became a youth director, I was really excited!  It was something I'd felt called to do years earlier but hadn't found the opportunity to do.  I guess God was waiting for the right time and place.  So, when the opportunity finally came, it was a dream come true for me.  And, although I didn't really know what to expect, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it would be like.  I'd volunteered in children's and youth events throughout my life.  And, I was active in my youth programs so I figured it would be similar.  But, I quickly realized some things were a little different.
I think I run the programs similar to how my youth group was growing up.  I knew I would have the actual youth group time, special events, and also times I would have to focus on a youth who is struggling.  It's about building relationships with them so they are willing to let me guide them to a relationship with God.  I love everything about it all!  Yes, there are days that are tougher than others.  But, even those days are rewarding because I know there is a purpose to everything I do.  And, I have learned that even the moments I think they aren't paying attention, they are- usually those are the moments I find out later really had an impact on someone. 
But, what I didn't expect- and what I have loved- is building relationships with the parents!  Having most of my experience as a youth myself, I never realized that aspect of it.  And, now, I am really enjoying the friendships I have with so many wonderful people who are trying to raise their teens to live a life with God.  I feel a sense of connection with them as we share together through the good times and the not so good times of our youth growing up.  I feel like we are working together because we both have the same goals.And, I feel so blessed that parents allow me to be a part of their teens lives.
Even though it has started with the connection of the youth, I now have parents that I can call my friends outside of that parent/ youth leader relationship.  And, to me that is such a blessing since I'm not usually one to have a ton of close friends.  In the last week, I've had several occasions that afterwards I've thought to myself that this wouldn't have happened if God hadn't put me here a few years ago.  But, now, here I am.  And, I'm surrounded by people who I love and who love me- youth and parents.
1 John 4:11
Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other.
Blessings,
Jennifer