Fringe

Today was the 1st full day of the conference.   After yesterday I was ready for the unexpected.   As the day began I was unsure of which workshop I wanted to go to.  I finally decided on one and headed to the room.  It was supposed to meet for 2 workshop sessions.   Even though I got a lot out of the 1st session, I felt there was somewhere else I was supposed to be during the 2nd part.  So, I went to a workshop on fringe kids.  I wasn't completely sure what that meant.  But I quickly realized I was in the right place.  For those of you like me who couldn't give an exact definition, I will share my new found definition.  They are the ones who are literally on the outside of your group but more importantly they are on the outside of your connections-they are in need of love and support.  Their uninvolved because they don't feel included.
For me, I have a group that thrives from welcoming the typically excluded.   what I have been struggling with for awhile now is the ones that got away.  And this workshop helped me realize that maybe my core kids became my fringe kids because I was so busy working on the fringe kids.  There are teens I never see that I thought would always be there.  And, it breaks my heart that they have become out of my world.  Today this workshop helped me understand what might be happening so that I can start figuring out how to change it.
Of course, after yesterday's realization about prayer, I know I have a lot more praying to do.
So where was God today?   He was in the people around me sharing their stories and helping me to see some choices and changes I need to make.
Blessings,
Jennifer