Growing up, in high school, our school had what they called Youth Rally. \u00a0(This was actually more during my brothers time)… it was a weekend for youth, speakers, singing and activities just for youth. \u00a0It was usually a time to meet Jesus and find yourself filled with the Holy Spirit and wishing for Jesus to come, NOW.<\/p>\n
The boys have their own version of this, called SERVE. \u00a0This year our town (our church along with another church is hosting it). \u00a0Serve is a week where other youth come and SERVE in our city. \u00a0Painting, building, working in shelters and food banks etc. \u00a0There are then activities, beach day etc and then the evening is worship. \u00a0Worship for just youth… done by youth for youth.<\/p>\n
I would love to be part of this but I have never gone because I want my boys to have that unique experience and know that this isn’t totally possible with their mama. This time, here at home, all three of my older boys have been active in it. \u00a0They haven’t been home all week. \u00a0They have come home (when they come home) exhausted and yet I can see they have had a great time.<\/p>\n
Sammy told me, “If you want to see SERVE, you should come to the service tomorrow night.” <\/em>\u00a0So we went.<\/p>\n Not much has changed from my teens. \u00a0I loved the speaker, the songs… the true praise that happened as they sang their hearts out to Jesus. \u00a0I couldn’t help but wonder why we can’t have this every weekend.<\/p>\n The theme was Just Be…<\/strong> and then there was open mic.<\/p>\n We were there till midnight. \u00a0Josh on Sanj and my lap, sprawled out, snoring. \u00a0Zach was sitting with his friends, front row. \u00a0Max and Tyler in the back row… Sammy and Jordan with their friends…<\/p>\n I have to tell you I left with a pounding headache- a huge one. \u00a0Not much has changed since I was in high school. \u00a0Kids are hurting in such a big way. \u00a0Bullying is such a issue. \u00a0Loneliness is huge. \u00a0Not being one of the in crowd… yup, still happening, that hurt. \u00a0Then there was the tears … the huge ones… of homes and families hurting… of parents failing and leaving this poor babes heartbroken. \u00a0HEARTBROKEN.<\/p>\n It broke my heart. \u00a0I wanted to release my inner pain for these babes and let go and cry the ugly cry. \u00a0I wanted to follow these babes out and hold them. \u00a0Just hold them. \u00a0Maybe even bring them home.<\/p>\n I wanted to reassure them that I get it. \u00a0I understood that pain from needing the grown ups to be all you need and not getting that. \u00a0I understood wanting to be a daughter … just a daughter… and not have to step up and play adult so many times. \u00a0I wanted to promise them that God is there \u00a0and yet at so many stages I didn’t always feel Him there. \u00a0I wanted to promise them that He is LISTENING. \u00a0He is hurting with them. \u00a0He IS…<\/p>\n I watched as a few of them ran out of the room, sharing and then broken. \u00a0My head hurt. \u00a0My heart heart. \u00a0And yet, I can say that just from my own life, God is so faithful. \u00a0 He may say Wait… and waiting is hard. \u00a0Yet …. He is so real. \u00a0He is our Father.<\/p>\n I sat there with Josh snoring, watching so many eyes wet, wondering how Jesus handles all this. \u00a0I wonder how it must hurt Him to see and feel all this hurt.<\/p>\n And yet, the last songs, these hurt babes sang with their hearts, hands outstretched … and I hope left with the knowledge that soon and very soon… We will be going Home.<\/p>\n I can’t wait.<\/p>\n \n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Growing up, in high school, our school had what they called Youth Rally. \u00a0(This was actually more during my brothers time)… it was a weekend for youth, speakers, singing and activities just for youth. \u00a0It was usually a time to … Continue reading