Skip to main content

Never Underestimate...

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.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Simple Country Life...My Goal

No, I haven't grown up in the country. I actually grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but grew up in the greatest city on this earth...New York! Maybe because of the hustle and bustle and the taking of the buses and trains every single day, the constant going that as I grew older I wanted to retreat to a quieter, slower pace. I live not too far from NYC right now. So I do have the perks of Broadway, Rockefeller Center, amazing restaurants, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the list is endless. I absolutely love it! But when I have had quite enough of all the fabulousness, I love to go home to my little house on the prairie in the beautiful Hudson Valley. I live in between horse farms overlooking amazing mountains and lakes. My little house is just that, little. But it is the right place for this season. With the boys growing up we will need a bigger place before long. So pray that the right home becomes available soon. But for now our 160...

2011

I have so much to say and it's all jumbled in my head. Don't you hate when that happens? Often times, my mouth goes before my thoughts and then I get in big trouble. But tonight as I sit here and write I have so much to say and yet I can't seem to put it to "paper." This year has brought a lot of growth. With it's often chaotic times, it has brought peace and learning. If you are a woman, let alone a wife and mom, pastor's wife of the best church in Orange County, NY, school volunteer(when I remember to get there), sports mom, counselor, teacher, hostess, and the list goes on, then you know what I am talkin' about. And when I plop into bed at night(and yes, I do plop...more than you know!) I look back at my day, my week and God speaks to me in a still small voice and shows me areas that I need work in, and people I need to ask forgiveness from and those I need to forgive. He tells me to be a little easier on my boys and don't say "no" so...

Thoughts

Can I say that I am so happy that today is Wednesday? This means that the weekend is near and I get to chill and spend some time with my husband and kids, uninterrupted. I can also spend some quality time with my pillow. Don't you just feel like that sometimes? Just act like being a lump on a log? I am also so sore. Doing the Crossfit regiment 5 days a week takes a toll on this 40+ body of mine. Love the way I look and feel, but man does it tire out this middle-aged woman (I can't believe I just said that!! Did I really just say that?!). Am I considered "middle-aged?" I'll jump on the band wagon and say that 40 is the new 30. Hey, it works. Denial isn't so bad sometimes...muahahahaha... I've been enjoying the fall thus far. Loving the brisk mornings and nights. The spicy scents of pumpkin candles and pumpkin lattes. I think I posted this before but here goes, "If you can't beat the Fall then you gotta join it." So I've decorated the hou...