what to say?

what do you say when you are invited to a birthday party happening at starbucks, and you find out that this girl is throwing it for herself because her mom is too tired from her trip to mexico she took all her other kids on, to throw the one that was left behind a birthday party?

what do you say to the kid that wants money for food at lunch time, everyday, for the past 6 years?

what do you say to the girl who just found out about her boyfriends sexual past and is crushed?

what do you say to the supporter on the phone who asks how the ministry is going?

what do you say to the kids who make up stupid drama for attention?

what do you say to the healthy kids who have good parents when they get in a fight with them?

what do you say to the girl who's friend is now working as an escort?

There is hope.

and we laughed

Over a cozy london fog in the warmth of a coffee shop, escaping from the rain pouring outside, we sat together and laughed.

Laughter has been missing from the the lives of the teens i know. The laughter that is there is usually sarcastic or shallow. Teens are stressed. Teens are striving. Teens are pressured. Teens are hurting.

I want to see them laugh.

The last time I got together with this one teen I told her I was concerned about her because she is so past burn out stage i'm afraid she wont make it to 25 because the stress is starting to effect her health. So this time instead of a stern talking to, we simply talked and laughed and theorized about life and people. We both left feeling full and encouraged instead of drained. And I didn't even ask her how she was that day.
God would you give peace and joy to these teens. May they find true joy.

God doesnt use a hammer to screw in screws

This week I had lunch with a teen and they told me about what God has been speaking to them lately. (Her born again first birthday is coming up in a few months!)She told me "God said, I dont use a hammer to screw in screws. What you want to go out and do is not your job, i have something else for you." The truth of that resonated with me.

Lord, help me to not get in the way of your work.
God, remove from me the temptation to try to do your work for you.
Jesus, take away my belief that I could do your work.
you are everything. Apart from you I am nothing. Let me not be fooled by pride into thinking I am significant in myself.

If there is one thing I've learned in youth work, its that I DONT HAVE THE ANSWERS... but I do know the one who has all the answers. So to those who are not open to talking with him directly, I simply tell them his words of wisdom. To those who are open to Jesus, I simply introduce them to him so they can hear from him themselves.

Lord, may your love radiate from your church into the world being a light that glorifies you.
God, you kingdom come, your will be done.
Jesus, use me how you see fit.