Tonight I left the Teen Center as soon as I could so that I could get to the Ash Wednesday service. One of my Teen Center teens wanted to go to church with me. So, we walked into the service after it started. I walked in and saw the front row filled with my youth! There wasn't enough room for us so we walked further back. During the service, we all walked up to get ashes. After that, I sat in a row with some of the youth since they had to move during the ashes part of the service. I heard them whispering and I leaned over to tell them to be quiet and I realized one of my youth who just finished confirmation was explaining Ash Wednesday and Lent to one of the younger youth! We think they aren't listening during class, but it's nice to know they really are taking it seriously.
So, afterwards, I heard them talking about what they were giving up for lent. Lately, I haven't given anything up. I usually try to add something rather than give things up. Sometimes I try to focus on reading more devotional or Bible related things or I try to focus on prayer or some other spiritual discipline. But, I realized my youth were not taking it lightly. One is giving up meat and another is giving up her laptop. So, I realized that I should take a lesson from them and give something up this year. I love being inspired by my own youth!
So, what can I give up that won't affect my work, that will really be a sacrifice, that the youth will see as a big deal so they know I'm taking it seriously? There was only one choice. It wasn't a choice I wanted to make, but it was obvious. I can't give up my laptop because of work. And, things like facebook and texting are tools I use to share God with the youth. So, I'm pretty sure that's not what God would want me to give up. So, as of today, I'm not drinking Coke. It won't be easy to stop my one a day habit. But, I'm pretty sure it's not the worst thing in the world.
So, where was God today? He was in my youth who shared His message with others and who inspired me to rethink my actions and focus during lent this season.
Blessings,
Jennifer
So, afterwards, I heard them talking about what they were giving up for lent. Lately, I haven't given anything up. I usually try to add something rather than give things up. Sometimes I try to focus on reading more devotional or Bible related things or I try to focus on prayer or some other spiritual discipline. But, I realized my youth were not taking it lightly. One is giving up meat and another is giving up her laptop. So, I realized that I should take a lesson from them and give something up this year. I love being inspired by my own youth!
So, what can I give up that won't affect my work, that will really be a sacrifice, that the youth will see as a big deal so they know I'm taking it seriously? There was only one choice. It wasn't a choice I wanted to make, but it was obvious. I can't give up my laptop because of work. And, things like facebook and texting are tools I use to share God with the youth. So, I'm pretty sure that's not what God would want me to give up. So, as of today, I'm not drinking Coke. It won't be easy to stop my one a day habit. But, I'm pretty sure it's not the worst thing in the world.
So, where was God today? He was in my youth who shared His message with others and who inspired me to rethink my actions and focus during lent this season.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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