Wow am I tired! We all are! We've worked hard this week! And, in the middle of all of that, we've had so many opportunities for spiritual growth- daily Bible study, worship music time, special guest speakers, scripture reading, and prayer time. We've had a lot of fun and laughter- some of the things we say and do- especially when we're tired!
But, we've also had those other times- the times harsh words were said, the times things were not done when they should have been, or the times something was done that shouldn't have been. When a group of teens and adults is together for over a week, it's to be expected. And so, I have learned to prepare for it. Today, when the crabbiness hit, I somehow didn't quite feel prepared for it. So, luckily we were at a point when it was easy for me to take 20 minutes and sit in my room and have a conversation with God- a heart to heart about things and about what I should do. I also prayed for patience. Then it was time to go to our dinner and Bible study with some of the youth from the church here. So, off we went.
Somewhere between my heart to heart with God and our drive home, I knew what the plan was. So, we got back to our place and I told everyone to join me in the lounge with their Bible. I shared some things with them and then we read several scriptures, one being I Corinthians 13:4-7. I told them God loves them and I love them and when I say that this is what I mean. I talked a bit more and then told them after prayer time to leave in silence. But, I also encouraged them to meet and ask for forgiveness if there was someone they had been crabby to today.
Several really amazing conversations happened because of that. I expect several more in the near future. It was also a way to show the group that in times of trouble, they can always look to prayer and scripture for guidance and comfort. Am I happy people were crabby today? Not really. But I am happy that I was able to have a moment to teach by example and share with the group how to handle things with a Christian perspective. And I reinforced how much I love each one of them.
So where was God today? He was listening, giving me guidance, and giving me patience.
Blessings,
Jennifer
But, we've also had those other times- the times harsh words were said, the times things were not done when they should have been, or the times something was done that shouldn't have been. When a group of teens and adults is together for over a week, it's to be expected. And so, I have learned to prepare for it. Today, when the crabbiness hit, I somehow didn't quite feel prepared for it. So, luckily we were at a point when it was easy for me to take 20 minutes and sit in my room and have a conversation with God- a heart to heart about things and about what I should do. I also prayed for patience. Then it was time to go to our dinner and Bible study with some of the youth from the church here. So, off we went.
Somewhere between my heart to heart with God and our drive home, I knew what the plan was. So, we got back to our place and I told everyone to join me in the lounge with their Bible. I shared some things with them and then we read several scriptures, one being I Corinthians 13:4-7. I told them God loves them and I love them and when I say that this is what I mean. I talked a bit more and then told them after prayer time to leave in silence. But, I also encouraged them to meet and ask for forgiveness if there was someone they had been crabby to today.
Several really amazing conversations happened because of that. I expect several more in the near future. It was also a way to show the group that in times of trouble, they can always look to prayer and scripture for guidance and comfort. Am I happy people were crabby today? Not really. But I am happy that I was able to have a moment to teach by example and share with the group how to handle things with a Christian perspective. And I reinforced how much I love each one of them.
So where was God today? He was listening, giving me guidance, and giving me patience.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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