Today, I had the privilege and honor of speaking to a bunch of wonderfully youthful middle-schoolers. I know that my son, who was in the group must've been a little nervous at what would come out of my mouth. After all I hold the secrets and the pictures to prove it all. Little does he know that I would carry these to the grave unless forced to use them...LOL!
I struggled with the topic because I knew what they were going to say as soon as I said the "P" word. They were going to roll their eyes, they were going to put their heads back in exasperation and wonder why they even came to school today. I've had the same reaction when using the "p" word many times as a young person and as an adult. I've thought it was boring and sometimes senseless for different reasons, but I knew that as a Christian I was supposed to do it and do it often.
As soon as I said, "Prayer" they looked glossy eyed and I could hear their brains shouting, "Noooooooo." Well, I knew by the leading of the Holy Spirit that this is what I was supposed to share. So I did. I shared how it was important. I shared the different ways that we could pray...we can worship, confess, intercede, praise, petition, warfare, thanksgiving, and so on. I shared how all of these were important. I shared that I knew that some of them struggled with addictions of various kinds, that they struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. I shared that at times God doesn't answer us the way we want or think He should answer. And that we become angry and upset with Him: that He doesn't kick us to the curb when we are upset with Him, that He understands.
At the conclusion of my schpeal, I handed out pieces of paper and asked them all to write down 3 top prayer needs that they wanted me to pray for for a week straight. They did and some broke my heart. I also asked that they not share their names. As I stood alone in the chapel, once they had been dismissed to their classes, I read them all. Many made me sad and I cried at a few. One in particular made me stop. The student had written their name. Two of the three shook me to the core...I am depressed and I am struggling with suicidal thoughts. I marched right to the administrators office and spoke with him, shared what I had read and shared the child's name. I was able to speak with the child and pray with the child too. I asked for him/her to speak to a teacher they trusted. When I found out who the teacher was I spoke with her and arrangements were made to speak to the parents.
Wow, what a day! I had second guessed and triple second guessed the topic today. I wondered if it was God. And after today, I do believe it was God and He used a simpleton, like me, to bring to light things that kids are struggling with everyday...even suicidal thoughts.
When you are being led by the Holy Spirit to do something. Do it. Don't wait. Move forward in His strength and power. Know that if He has open the door then He will provide the words, means, etc.
I am still learning and am a work in progress. I still ask and wonder if it's really God or me. I thank Him that He is patient and kind and loving and gentle. I thank Him that "He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise." Yes, He does. He chose to use me and I am so glad He did. Never underestimate what God can do when you allow Him to.
I struggled with the topic because I knew what they were going to say as soon as I said the "P" word. They were going to roll their eyes, they were going to put their heads back in exasperation and wonder why they even came to school today. I've had the same reaction when using the "p" word many times as a young person and as an adult. I've thought it was boring and sometimes senseless for different reasons, but I knew that as a Christian I was supposed to do it and do it often.
As soon as I said, "Prayer" they looked glossy eyed and I could hear their brains shouting, "Noooooooo." Well, I knew by the leading of the Holy Spirit that this is what I was supposed to share. So I did. I shared how it was important. I shared the different ways that we could pray...we can worship, confess, intercede, praise, petition, warfare, thanksgiving, and so on. I shared how all of these were important. I shared that I knew that some of them struggled with addictions of various kinds, that they struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. I shared that at times God doesn't answer us the way we want or think He should answer. And that we become angry and upset with Him: that He doesn't kick us to the curb when we are upset with Him, that He understands.
At the conclusion of my schpeal, I handed out pieces of paper and asked them all to write down 3 top prayer needs that they wanted me to pray for for a week straight. They did and some broke my heart. I also asked that they not share their names. As I stood alone in the chapel, once they had been dismissed to their classes, I read them all. Many made me sad and I cried at a few. One in particular made me stop. The student had written their name. Two of the three shook me to the core...I am depressed and I am struggling with suicidal thoughts. I marched right to the administrators office and spoke with him, shared what I had read and shared the child's name. I was able to speak with the child and pray with the child too. I asked for him/her to speak to a teacher they trusted. When I found out who the teacher was I spoke with her and arrangements were made to speak to the parents.
Wow, what a day! I had second guessed and triple second guessed the topic today. I wondered if it was God. And after today, I do believe it was God and He used a simpleton, like me, to bring to light things that kids are struggling with everyday...even suicidal thoughts.
When you are being led by the Holy Spirit to do something. Do it. Don't wait. Move forward in His strength and power. Know that if He has open the door then He will provide the words, means, etc.
I am still learning and am a work in progress. I still ask and wonder if it's really God or me. I thank Him that He is patient and kind and loving and gentle. I thank Him that "He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise." Yes, He does. He chose to use me and I am so glad He did. Never underestimate what God can do when you allow Him to.
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