My husband has been doing a series with our youth group call Road Trip. He’s has been talking about the faith journey using a book (titled Road Trip) that he picked up at a conference. Last night the lesson was on things that are an indicator that life is not well (much like the check engine light in a car) and that help is needed. After talking about depression, cutting, alcohol and drug use, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and pornography some of the kids came up to my husband (Jim) and told him they felt like he had been sitting in their homes and had just described their lives. There is so much that these kids are dealing with and very little or no support at home. During this school year both of the high schools that our teens come from have experienced the loss of a student due to a car accident. Just this past week a senior commited suicide leaving his parents and pregnant girlfriend devastated. Many times we have been asked “why???”. The anguish is real and the problems are daunting. Though very difficult and painful, Jim and I once again realize that this is why we are still doing volunteer youth ministry. Even though we often feel inadequate for the task before us, we push on loving on kids as best we can and showing them an alternative to the lifestyles they see at home.
Take a minute today and pray for the teens in your life. Pray for the teachers and youth leaders that are in your area. And add a prayer for Jim and me. The task of reaching teens and their families for Jesus is an ongoing uphill road with many bumps and one that will most likely get more difficult as the things our kids face loom large. Please pray and if you know a teen, go give them a hug.
Good for both of you doing this ministry. I spent a year as Youth Coordinator at my church, and it was a very stressful job. And that was with a group of kids who were pretty darn tame and untroubled as far as teens go. Best wishes to both of you.
~TallysTreasury from swap-bot
Comment by Tally — September 15, 2010 @ 3:06 pm |