As I Look Upon The Morning Star

Kids

“So you’re getting into Youth Ministry…it’s very rewarding. I still get letters from my kids. Even after years. Maybe one out of 50 can actually do youth ministry.”

He’s not kidding. It really takes a special person to be able to make a program work without it looking like a “program”. Teenagers don’t want more school, more rules, more adults bossing them around.

So what do they want?

They want sincerity. If you and your faith is anything less than authentic, they will see right through you. Teens don’t want me to be their buddy, but their role-model. This is why they are coming to a youth program in the first place. How are they going to look to me for guidance and answers when I’m not living it myself? This is why I’ve developed a spiritual routine. Every morning I wake up and pray for help throughout the day that I can be the Christian woman that Jesus desires me to be. I try to work hard at my job every day. I spend time in scripture as the day progresses. I tithe. I give my time to my church, my friends and those in need.

Am I perfect? Heavens, no. I flake off at work; I toss out things that could be recycled, reused or donated. I find myself judging others at times. I don’t pay attention at church sometimes. I forget to tell people that I love them. I slip out a little white lie to save my own hide when I’ve made a booboo. At the end of every day I lament all of my shortcomings and hope that I can be better tomorrow. It is this journey that I hope the kids see: that Christianity is not a condition, but a lifelong goal.