This week has been hectic- not so much hectic, I guess, more just different. The Teen Center is being remodeled. We have been temporarily moved to the gym. I thought we would have no teens all week. Who wants to hang out in a gym instead of computers and video games? Wow! Was I wrong! We have had a ton of teens all week. Besides the fact that I have been fighting headaches and hearing the constant pounding of basketballs, my week has been great! And, it has taught me alot.
First, I am happy to know the teens want to be active rather than always sitting playing games. It has gotten me to rethink some things about the Teen Center and hopefully make some changes. I am hoping to incorporate some new things that help make the Teen Center a more active place- like gym time during the week at some point- although not sure how long or often. I am also hoping to get some equipment in the Teen Center- treadmills and bikes are simple things that we can add to help promote being healthy.
When the other gyms filled up, we got an overflow of teens there for open gym. So, I got to meet and hang out with teens I hadn't met before or that I had barely known before. This helped me connect and advertise our Teen Night last night- dodgeball- which was a great success. But, it did something else I never would have thought of. Of course, I'm making a huge generalization here. But, I have to say the actual members who came in were more respectful, I didn't have to constantly get on them about their language or behavior, they didn't have attitudes. Last night, a big group of teens talked about fighting after the Teen Event. Where they mad at each other? No- they just wanted to see who would win. What?! They were all my Teen Center ones. So, I guess what I'm getting at is the Teen Center needs to be here. Whether they come because they don't want to go home or because their parents don't want them home, they need to have a place they know they can come. And, they need to have a place where they can express themselves but where they know there are boundaries. And, most important, they need a place where there is someone who is going to consistently be there and consistently enforce those boundaries- whether they realize they like it or not.
Of course, as I said this is a big generalization and I have a ton of kids who come just because they want to play games or check their facebook or meet up with friends. And, that's what it's all about- helping them all learn to deal in a world with all kids of people.
So, where was God today? I was dreading this week of bouncing basketballs. But, God showed me there was a reason for it and I am grateful! His plans are always better!
Blessings,
Jennifer
First, I am happy to know the teens want to be active rather than always sitting playing games. It has gotten me to rethink some things about the Teen Center and hopefully make some changes. I am hoping to incorporate some new things that help make the Teen Center a more active place- like gym time during the week at some point- although not sure how long or often. I am also hoping to get some equipment in the Teen Center- treadmills and bikes are simple things that we can add to help promote being healthy.
When the other gyms filled up, we got an overflow of teens there for open gym. So, I got to meet and hang out with teens I hadn't met before or that I had barely known before. This helped me connect and advertise our Teen Night last night- dodgeball- which was a great success. But, it did something else I never would have thought of. Of course, I'm making a huge generalization here. But, I have to say the actual members who came in were more respectful, I didn't have to constantly get on them about their language or behavior, they didn't have attitudes. Last night, a big group of teens talked about fighting after the Teen Event. Where they mad at each other? No- they just wanted to see who would win. What?! They were all my Teen Center ones. So, I guess what I'm getting at is the Teen Center needs to be here. Whether they come because they don't want to go home or because their parents don't want them home, they need to have a place they know they can come. And, they need to have a place where they can express themselves but where they know there are boundaries. And, most important, they need a place where there is someone who is going to consistently be there and consistently enforce those boundaries- whether they realize they like it or not.
Of course, as I said this is a big generalization and I have a ton of kids who come just because they want to play games or check their facebook or meet up with friends. And, that's what it's all about- helping them all learn to deal in a world with all kids of people.
So, where was God today? I was dreading this week of bouncing basketballs. But, God showed me there was a reason for it and I am grateful! His plans are always better!
Blessings,
Jennifer
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