With prep for the mission trip and other things going on, tonight was my first chance to go in depth with a discussion I've been wanting to share. I mentioned it a few weeks ago, but didn't get a chance to do more than just that.
So, tonight my plan was to put a dot on the white board. Then, ask the youth what it was. A good friend of mine used this example and I loved it. It always happens that they mention the small dot rather than the huge white space. That compares to us and mistakes or sin. We see the negative so much more than the positive- both in others and ourselves. I shared that tonight and then asked how that related to lent and Easter. Without much prompting at all, they talked about God seeing the white and when I brought out the eraser they immediately knew that was God erasing the dot. I love when they get it!
Here is what was really amazing. I should have done this at the beginning of lent. But, it didn't happen. And, honestly tonight I wasn't sure I was going to do it.
You see, last night, a girl from the middle school committed suicide. It has been said that she was a perfectionist and grading just ended and may have contributed in some way. Others say she was severely bullied. I went to the church knowing I needed to address this but not knowing how. So, I googled. Nothing came up that I could use. So, I shut down the computer and prayed that God would give me the words.
15 minutes later as kids started coming in, I started. About 17 teens in a room usually means lots of side chatter, giggles, and pure squirreliness- no matter what. But, as I started I asked them to refrain tonight from that behavior even moreso than they usually "try". I should have recorded what I said because it worked!
As I started, I opened my mouth and the words just started coming out. We did talk about lent and the black dot of sins or mistakes. Then, at the end of that discussion I told them that a girl from their school couldn't see any of the white board anymore- to her it was all black dots and hopelessness. And, then I told them what several of them already knew. What followed was a time of sharing, questioning, and even some anger. It was about the girl, about friends they knew, about themselves, and random things they just needed to get out.
It wasn't me talking. I knew that. It was God talking and listening through me. And, for that I am grateful because I had no clue what to say!
Blessings,
Jennifer
So, tonight my plan was to put a dot on the white board. Then, ask the youth what it was. A good friend of mine used this example and I loved it. It always happens that they mention the small dot rather than the huge white space. That compares to us and mistakes or sin. We see the negative so much more than the positive- both in others and ourselves. I shared that tonight and then asked how that related to lent and Easter. Without much prompting at all, they talked about God seeing the white and when I brought out the eraser they immediately knew that was God erasing the dot. I love when they get it!
Here is what was really amazing. I should have done this at the beginning of lent. But, it didn't happen. And, honestly tonight I wasn't sure I was going to do it.
You see, last night, a girl from the middle school committed suicide. It has been said that she was a perfectionist and grading just ended and may have contributed in some way. Others say she was severely bullied. I went to the church knowing I needed to address this but not knowing how. So, I googled. Nothing came up that I could use. So, I shut down the computer and prayed that God would give me the words.
15 minutes later as kids started coming in, I started. About 17 teens in a room usually means lots of side chatter, giggles, and pure squirreliness- no matter what. But, as I started I asked them to refrain tonight from that behavior even moreso than they usually "try". I should have recorded what I said because it worked!
As I started, I opened my mouth and the words just started coming out. We did talk about lent and the black dot of sins or mistakes. Then, at the end of that discussion I told them that a girl from their school couldn't see any of the white board anymore- to her it was all black dots and hopelessness. And, then I told them what several of them already knew. What followed was a time of sharing, questioning, and even some anger. It was about the girl, about friends they knew, about themselves, and random things they just needed to get out.
It wasn't me talking. I knew that. It was God talking and listening through me. And, for that I am grateful because I had no clue what to say!
Blessings,
Jennifer
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