Hey Everyone, Wanted to post this story of one of our volunteers. Incredible
Busy, busy, race, rush, it is Friday, time to do our bit and help out at the Youth Center. Our turn to give back, thankful for all the lord had done for us. Maybe there is a youth we can help, be a friend to, and share our experiences with in hopes of listening to theirs and maybe helping in some small way. So in they come full of smiles, hope and a never ending wish to be accepted, somewhere. A high five, an awesome game of pool interspersed with a little drawing and chat. We learn things about them we did not know. As time progresses the stories become more personal. We realize the roads they have traveled are not always pretty and wonder how, without faith they have come through. How much easier could the trip be with Jesus Christ? We are very careful not to push, not to prod, knowing there is still hope we leave the door open, hoping that walking the walk they may see a way they would like to emulate. We play and laugh and listen. Yes we are doing our part. Aren’t we proud to at least be trying to help. Yes we are there for them. You leave and carry on your busy life assuring them that, yes; you will see them next Friday. You realize that they actually “want” you to be there. This is awesome.
As you continue your own walk, in your own busy world you pray for them, pray for your own kids. It is Sunday morning. You begin the morning rush, “wake up kids, get showered, get dressed lets go we cannot be late.” You pile in the car, speeding to get there before the church bell rings. Hurry, hurry, shake hands, smile and hugs, take your usual place and then it happens…..3 pews up, a face turns and smiles at you, sitting all alone, your heart warms, you feel the holy spirit working, you jump up to greet them, they are so proud, hug you and make you feel like you are really someone special. They join you in your pew and ask “hey are you going down when they do the Sunday school thing?” You realize they are uncomfortable and pray to God for the right words and actions to make this a pleasurable experience for them. “I sure am if you are” you say. They beam a smile at you and then it hits you………… I feel so lucky, so special, so thankful, so enriched, this is what it is all about, thank you Heavenly Father.
The next Friday comes and there they another high 5 and a smile. You very nonchalantly, being as unobvious as you can say, “hey, it was great to see you at church on Sunday”, then the reply comes you never expected, the youth answers, “I heard you say you went to the United Church so I rode my bike over. It was actually kind of fun. Do you go every Sunday?”
“Yes”, I answer, “I can save you a seat beside me if you want.”
How blessed am I? Did I help this youth or did the youth help me? Thank be to God.
Brenda McKee