I look in the mirror a lot. I'm not vain, at all. It comes from a place of insecurity but I'm starting to really like my butt.
Which means I'm feelin' pretty good in my skin, which is kind of a big deal. So I'm celebrating that today.
Today I'm fixing my resume a little, making lists and having a pinterest party with some 7 year old. We're making tissue paper flowers. The whole thing makes my heart so happy.
I have some 18 year old girls who are about to go to college coming over in the next few days. My job is primarily to listen to them, to what their life is like, to what they're nervous about and what they're hopeful for.
The first act of love is listening, and that's exactly what these girls need. Someone to love them and listen to them. Someone that they can spill their guts to who wont yell or freak out, but someone who will also tell the truth and guide them when need be. If there is anything I've learned about teenagers, is that this is NOT about you, even a little. So you gotta get rid of any agenda or sermon you're preparing. It's about them 1000% and every kid is different.
Which is why I think sometimes we're doing everything so wrong. So sometimes i want to build a space that looks like a home. Where there are rooms with comfy couches to take naps, or read or study or chat.... (kids need sleep and safe places), and kitchen to cook with each other, talk about the day, and do homework....multi tasking at its finest and most important.
I just think the kitchen is where good convo happens. so it's should be big and open and welcoming. There is so much to be shared over a meal and the preparing of a meal. The experience of learning how to make something, how to chop and slice and cook and bake...and sharing stories about family and recipes and whatever else snowballs off of that...
and maybe there is a space with i don't know...laptops or ipads or other technology to work on projects and homework and create things and maybe a room for art. and prayer but i also recognize that prayer is probably super scary and weird for teenagers who are just trying to figure out what they think about everything.
and really, they should be able to "explore" and "search for meaning" where ever they want. If we we love like Jesus with out preaching or lecturing them all the time...they'll start to understand love...and really, i think that's what most important anyway.
love changes everything. how you see yourself, and others and what you do with your life, and how your treat other people.
and i believe in my heart that if we give kids a place to exist and be who they are in this moment, and give them the space to ask questions and make mistakes that they will start to get what love means and looks like.
And maybe i'm wrong, but i dream of the day when i can make this happen because the young people in my life inspire me to build something different for them, to "cast a new vision" and what youth ministry looks like.
Where i'm standing in the gap for them, i'm being intentional with what i say and do with them. That i can breed a spirit of service in them...so they can pay it forward and love harder and better than they ever have.
But...it all starts with creating that safe space where they can just walk through the door whenever without calling and know that someone will be there to ...just...be there with them and love them and to encourage them and be mirrors for them so show them how to love themselves.
i'm all about breaking down insecurity and walls and fears that prevent me from getting to the heart.
That's where my heart is. not that you asked or cared...and my thoughts are scattered as i've had some coffee. I dream big dreams with coffee.
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