Last week, I attended the Orange Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. 7,000 Church workers & pastors descended upon the Gwinnett Center to learn more of Family Ministries.
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| Worship |
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| Such a team! |
I traveled with our program staff; Chad, Sam, Angie and Sarah. (Talk about getting to know people on a six hour van ride!) We had a blast together and learned so much about each other, and at the same time, grew as leaders called by God to shape others around us.
This year's theme was "It's Just a Phase" The more I heard this phrase, the more reality sunk in. We only have our children for a short while. What do we do with our children while they are in our midst makes all the difference.
Andy Stanley spoke early in the week from Nehemiah 1. Andy challenged us to think of two questions:
1. Who are you?
2. What breaks your heart?
Nehemiah had a broken heart for . Read these words from Nehemiah 1.
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah had received a first-hand report about the depressing state back home and it broke his heart. He decided, therefore, that something needed to be done. He couldn’t sit idly by and do nothing. He had to put method into his praying and ‘worked with God’ on the problem.
Andy Stanley went on to say that there are so many young people who grow up in homes where
families come to church and
don't even acknowledge that God is real in their life. The kids grow up, they leave and they often leave their faith.
That struck a cord with me. It breaks my heart. I know it does for Chad Deetz and Burt Robinson. Our youth leaders desire for every youth to know Christ and to live for Christ. I hurt when I hear of their hurt for one of the youth.
Being a youth is tough. I "remember when" I was a teen. It was not easy then, and it's sure not any easier now. Teen sex, drug use, gun violence, online bullying...the list could go on and on.
Parenting is tough. My heart is burdened as I want nothing but the best for our three children and for our church's children and youth. Each phase is handed it's own difficulties, but at the same time, many joys.
Right now, I'm dealing with talk-backs, stares, comments such as "No", "You don't know anything" or "Cool, whatever" and I am learning to keep my cool. It's just a phase I tell my self, but I can't neglect this phase, or I have lost it forever with my children.
If you are a parent, a grandparent, or a neighbor who has children near by, know that they need you. How's your heart? Does it break for others? Do you want nothing but the best for them? If so, give them your all.
I have been experiencing some new "firsts" with Aaron recently. Aaron and I have "tag-teamed" the yard. He cuts and I trim. I love it, and he has not complained yet!
But we get to share some special time together as Father and Son and I get to teach him a few things about yard work and he teaches me a few things about lightening up alittle.
Last night, I drove Aaron and Alayna home from youth group. I almost got home, but turned around and drove to a remote area along County Route 210. I put the van in park and said, "Aaron you are going to drive us home." His reply, "I've never done this! I can't!" We went back and forth for 5 minutes as to why he can/why can't he do this. Finally I said, "Aaron, back when I learned, I did not have the luxury of new housing developments where roads were empty. I had the busy streets of Belle Vernon to learn on. I got over my fears and learned." We inched out onto CR 210. (I was scared to death as was Alayna!) He pulled out, both hands SO tight on the wheel! We got to our first intersection and he stopped hard and the van stalled and turned off. He put it in park, turned the ignition and got it running again. We turned left and were headed home. He passed a car and with fear in his face, smiled, and said, "I can do it!"
I got home, sat down in my chair and smiled. Today, I spent time with my son and watched him drive on the road for the first time. Take time with your kids, remember, "It's just a phase."
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| "We can still dress Aaron cute" phase |
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| "Dad, I want to do everything you do" phase |
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| "The Big 15" Phase! |
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| "Strong enough to out paddle his dad" phase |
