Monthly Musings
August 2008
The past several months have found me in a brand new position, at a brand new church working with…..gulp…..teenagers! I have to admit that although I have been “off the charts” excited about this exciting adventure that it has not come without some degree of reservation. It’s been a while since I have worked with this unique segment of our human population and it did not take long to realize that they are a whole different breed than they were when I was their age.
They are bigger, louder, more energetic, and spiritually have way more on the ball than my generation ever did. Perhaps this stems from the fact that the challenges they face are far greater than those of a shy, sheltered country boy growing up in the Garlic capital of the world. My greatest challenge usually involved whether to throw a baseball around the yard, pull weeds or do homework. (not a difficult decision)
This experience, although intimidating, has allowed me to open up to a whole different way of being, ministering and living. The lessons I have learned over these months have been an accelerated course in patience and in the art of allowing! “Allowing” not from the standpoint of letting go and letting “whatever” happen (by the way, “whatever” is a favorite word of this culture) but by way of “allowing” truth and spirit to express without attachment, personal need to force life or to have lessons come from my limited bank of knowledge. What a beautiful demonstration of God it has been to sit in witness to the movement of Spirit through play, conversation, experimentation and youthful revelation.
One of these teens had a t-shirt on that read “We are merely sheep in wolves clothing!” Nothing could be closer to the truth. As I have taken the time to be in the presence of their energy and allowed myself the eyes to see beyond any outer bravado, volume and appearance I have unearthed a tenderness and compassion that is often lacking in my “adult” world. These “sheep” masquerading as wolves have allowed me a look into their souls and helped me remember my own innocence. They have helped me recognize the “outer clothing” I sometimes wear to disguise my fears and insecurities
For the sake of space and time I have created a “top ten” list of the lessons my young gurus have taught me in such a short time.
1. Be an individual! Don’t conform to what others want you to be. Who you are is wonderful!
2. Have fun! Play a little, laugh a little, sing and dance a little every day!
3. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
4. Life is too short to get stuck in the past. Live for the moment!
5. Speak your truth in kindness and love….don’t stuff your feelings.
6. The best lessons come from the inside out and not the outside in.
7. Sometimes the best thing to get you through a tough time is a friend who will listen and not one that gives advice.
8. Try something new every day…it helps you feel alive.
9. The greatest pleasure in life is found in providing a space of love for someone and watching them step into it without being forced.
10. Everyone sees life through their own lens, spend less time trying to make people see things your way and more time trying to wear their glasses!