Sometimes I pour into someone and then have to let go, using my only tool left. Luckily, it's the most powerful one. Yes, sometimes all we can do is pray. That has been the case with someone lately. After years of ups and downs in His relationship with God-usually to an extreme, I lost touch with him. Since I would usually see him almost every day, I knew that some of his bad choices had probably caught up with him. It saddened me to think he was struggling. But, I hoped for something to change.
This morning as I walked in to church, a friend told me he was here. I went to him and hugged him, letting him know that he was welcomed and loved. He looked like I had never seen him-clean and rid of the things his body had been subjected to. We talked for a bit and he shared about some of his experiences. Then he got distracted by his dad walking in the room. He excitedly told me his dad was here. He had only shown up on a few special occasions so it was a pretty big deal.
Tonight he came to youth group and asked me if he could share with the group. I agreed. He talked about making bad choices and paying the consequences-that he never wanted to do that again. He said he prayed every day and asked God for a second chance and he was grateful that he got it.
I am hoping this time it will stick, that he will remember that his choices choose his path. But, at least I know that in a time when he was struggling, when all his choices failed him, he knew to turn to God. He knew that he could pray to God for help and was assured God answered him. I wish I could give all my youth a trouble free life. But that would not be possible. What I guess the real goal should be is to give them tools to find God when they are lost-to give them something to come back to when they need something to rely on. And, to make sure they know that they are always loved.
So, where was God today? He was celebrating the return of His lost sheep.
Blessings,
Jennifer
This morning as I walked in to church, a friend told me he was here. I went to him and hugged him, letting him know that he was welcomed and loved. He looked like I had never seen him-clean and rid of the things his body had been subjected to. We talked for a bit and he shared about some of his experiences. Then he got distracted by his dad walking in the room. He excitedly told me his dad was here. He had only shown up on a few special occasions so it was a pretty big deal.
Tonight he came to youth group and asked me if he could share with the group. I agreed. He talked about making bad choices and paying the consequences-that he never wanted to do that again. He said he prayed every day and asked God for a second chance and he was grateful that he got it.
I am hoping this time it will stick, that he will remember that his choices choose his path. But, at least I know that in a time when he was struggling, when all his choices failed him, he knew to turn to God. He knew that he could pray to God for help and was assured God answered him. I wish I could give all my youth a trouble free life. But that would not be possible. What I guess the real goal should be is to give them tools to find God when they are lost-to give them something to come back to when they need something to rely on. And, to make sure they know that they are always loved.
So, where was God today? He was celebrating the return of His lost sheep.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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