STF

Tonight I was tired!  After a weekend at a youth event and a lack of sleep, tonight's plan was to play games at youth group.  Before the game, I wanted to do our weekly "candle time"- singing songs and a prayer sharing time.  And, I thought those that went to the youth event would be bubbling with things to share about the event.  So, it was time to start and I was excited because I had bought the CD with music from the weekend.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the words right and the music just wasn't as inspiring as it had been all weekend.  So, we went on to sharing and candle time.
After that, it was game time.  It's one of the typical youth group games where the youth run around in a dark church and hunt for things while someone tries to tag them.  Unfortunately, a girl got hurt and we had to end the game an hour early.  So, we all gathered, I said a prayer for the girl, and off she went to get an x-ray of her foot.  So, now what?  They were all set for games and fun tonight.  What was my back-up plan?  Hmmm... Well, we just got a pool table donated so I decided it was a good chance to try it out.  So, we went to the youth house to just hang out- with options of pool, air hockey, Foosball, or the pinball machine we had donated last week.  Sounds like the perfect plan for teens- what more could they ask for?
And, that's where God came in!
I walked by several girls and heard them say "Let's just pray for the last hour!"  So, my dream of having one of the rooms in the house become a prayer room became a reality tonight.  I invited them to go in there and then went around to make sure everyone else was under control.  And then, I couldn't help myself.  I had to go in.  And, here were three girls holding hands and praying for the girl who had gotten injured.  They were lifting her up in prayer, sharing how they loved her and how they wanted God to comfort her.  And, it went on from there.  They started praising God for the amazing things He has done in their lives, praying that others will realize the amazing things He could do in their lives, and how He can help those who need help.  Their words just flowed out- they were all so excited to just be praying and praising!  And, they they shared about how their lives needed to be- that church and youth group was fun but that this is what it's really all about- not just fun and games- and that youth group is about God and the relationships with each other and that they can depend on each other like family.  There were hugs, there were tears from all of us- the tears of pure joy from a moment we realize doesn't happen often- the tears that come when a girl says I feel God in here right now!  And, what was awesome was that I didn't say a word.  It wasn't about what I had to say- it was about what they had to share with each other.  I was just a bystander taking in all that I could of the moment.
And, then one of the girls said "let's go invite the others to come in here," and I started to say no.  But, then I realized that was selfish of me to not want to change the moment.  So, luckily I stopped myself.  And they went out to invite others.  And, two more came in to pray with us.  And, then they realized this shouldn't be a one time thing.  They didn't want this to just end either.  So, they decided to start a weekly prayer group.  And, so next Sunday, STF will be meeting.  The event they went to was called Acquire the Fire.  So, they named the group Spread the Fire.
God is amazing!
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Blessings,
Jennifer