Yesterday we celebrated the past year at our church. I have lots of weird memories, of which stripping in church has to top the list. But overall, the memories are good. This is despite certain disappointments and things not moving as quickly as I think they can. I think Robert Benchley was right when he wrote “Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory.” But I also think it’s more than that. I look back and I can see where we’ve come from. So I look forward with hope, knowing that all is possible with God. But here’s what I said I will remember most from this past year;
Most of all, I remember a senior class from this past year. The first class that I saw from the start of their youth group career, to the end. I remember late nights spent talking and listening to them. I remember early mornings at Prayer Breakfast. I remember praying that they wouldn’t make certain choices, and then helping them fix it when they did. I remember seeing the light bulbs click on when they were finally figuring out how to apply truth. I remember hearing their voices filled with hope as they strived towards the goal.
The fact is that we, as a church family, have built into many children and teens. Just in my time here, we have seen about 40 teens graduate and move on past their youth group years. I guess, for me, a lot of the past 6 years becomes a haze of one long trip in the church van while eating pizza.
I pray that we never forget why we do what we do.
When the sleep has been lost, the mistakes have been made, the relationships broken and then mended, the church van has been fixed (again), the fundraisers done, the calendars and the e-mails and the reminders have all been sent, when the stories have been listened to and the tears have all dried, I pray we remember our purpose.
Psalm 45:17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
As I said yesterday, I see us making even greater memories ahead.
Most of all, I remember a senior class from this past year. The first class that I saw from the start of their youth group career, to the end. I remember late nights spent talking and listening to them. I remember early mornings at Prayer Breakfast. I remember praying that they wouldn’t make certain choices, and then helping them fix it when they did. I remember seeing the light bulbs click on when they were finally figuring out how to apply truth. I remember hearing their voices filled with hope as they strived towards the goal.
The fact is that we, as a church family, have built into many children and teens. Just in my time here, we have seen about 40 teens graduate and move on past their youth group years. I guess, for me, a lot of the past 6 years becomes a haze of one long trip in the church van while eating pizza.
I pray that we never forget why we do what we do.
When the sleep has been lost, the mistakes have been made, the relationships broken and then mended, the church van has been fixed (again), the fundraisers done, the calendars and the e-mails and the reminders have all been sent, when the stories have been listened to and the tears have all dried, I pray we remember our purpose.
Psalm 45:17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
As I said yesterday, I see us making even greater memories ahead.
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