Live to Worship

We were told to expect thirty middle and high schoolers for our youth retreat.  Most of the time there were five.

I think guys are pre-wired to play sports.  It's an unfair advantage they have for a bonding activity.  Our guys jumped right in with their guys and commence the weekend-long Knock-Out tournament.  We ladies had a bit of a more difficult time.

I was God-placed in the right place at the right time.  When two sisters walked in, I happened to be near the gym door.

The younger, a very thin middle school student with hair just past her ears, was less than thrilled about playing basketball.  She picked up the volleyball and tossed it to herself.  I asked if I could join.  She nodded yes.

I'm not any better at volleyball than I am at basketball.  But, it's easier to play one-on-one than eight-on-one.  We bumped the ball back and forth.  I was kind of impressed with myself for knowing how to hold my hands, to get under the ball, and for not getting hit in the face.  There still might have been more running than bumping.

By dinner time, my arms were bright red.  They hurt.  Hers matched.

In that volleyball time, she became my buddy.  For the next two days, she clinged to me.

We sat together at meals and played volleyball during free times.  Since there were five youth and eight college students, I could focus my attention on her.  And sometimes she needed all of my attention.

The lively girl I saw when we were playing ping pong and listening to the same two Skillet songs on repeat was not the same girl who slowly scooted her chair next to mine during Bible lessons.

The only time she actually opened her Bible all weekend was during the lesson I taught.  She was not interested in playing group games and much preferred to organize the preschool Sunday School room all day Saturday rather than participate in our planned activities.

I prayed a lot for God to show me how to reach her.  None of my tricks of the trade seemed successful, so I did the same thing I did with the Nicaraguan niños, I loved her.  I made a point to always know where she was.  I offered to help her organize and when she declined, it I sat with her while she worked.  I put my arm around her when she rested my head on her shoulder.  I told her I loved her with my words and my actions.

As seems typical, we had to leave before I could see what God was doing in that girl.  But I saw Him work in me.

Our theme of the weekend was: Live to Worship.

One thing God taught me was that even though the middle schooler and I didn't have any deep conversations, my time spent with her was still worship.

I'll be honest, it felt a bit more like babysitting than it did a youth retreat.  But it mattered.  It was the ministry of presence.

On Saturday night she gave me a piece of construction paper with my name written on it and decorated with glitter.  I hung it in my dorm room as a reminder of our weekend and to pray for her regularly.  It's a reminder that sometimes even what feels different than we expected can be worship, can be a ministry, can make a difference.

How have you worshipped today?
<>< Katie

Wait

The middle school girl across the dinner table from me was lost gazing into space.  Her friend said she was deep in thought.  Naturally, I asked what she was thinking about.  Again her friend provided the answer: boys.  She has a boyfriend but there's another guy she likes.  I've never been there, but I still realize that's a difficult position.

"You know that one thing all guys want?"  the girl asked.

I nodded, carefully choosing words as we embarked into dangerous territory.  "If he does not respect you, then he is not worth your time," I said.

She nodded and told me about her purity commitment.

"One day you will find a man who respects you as a woman," I continued.  "One who will honor your commitment and your relationship with God.  Maybe he'll even share in them.  You will find a man who treats you right.  Do not settle for anything less."

She nodded.

There was no point in continuing my sermon.  It was something she already knew but needed to hear again.  Likewise, I needed to say it again.

Unusual Joy

All of the following are real quotes from one person's mouth.

•  "We should eat eight of the elderly because then we wouldn't have to go buy more prizes."
• "Ohh!  Ambulance parking.  We could park there.  Bob, turn on your lights!" [Bob drives a minivan]
• "Men don't have hair."
• "I want to eat my words because I didn't have breakfast, and I'm hungry."
• "AH!  You just decapitated me again."
• "I had a dream last night that I actually behaved at youth group.  Thank goodness it was only a dream!"
• "There are dominoes in my shorts!"
• "Look!  That tree is moving.  Oh, wait, the bus is moving."
• "Naked!  Hehehe Silly!  Plethora, giggle, tomatoes." [This was a text message sent to the wrong person]
• "Ew!  Rick Warren!"
• "What does 'nagivet' mean?"
• "ATHANASIAN CREED!  Exploring His manhood?  Oh!  This creed is dirty!"
• "That's why I make out with Katie: she goes to seminary next week."  [That is what we heard.  What she really said was: "That's why I hang out with Katie: she leaves for school next week."]
• "I don't need caffeine.  I'm pre-caffeinated."

Who REALLY says these kinds of things?

The same girl who was on the jumbotron speaking whale...

One of my anonymous readers... Melissa Joy Noel.

She's been begging me for a birthday blog for years, and I'm really not sure what to say to the girl who threw herself a 19th birthday party at the city pool.  We played with shaving cream and silly string on the playground...

I think for her birthday I will donate blood because I'm eligible for the first time ever.  Then I'll give her the information pamphlet.  I can just hear her reading it, "Definition of sexual content... AHHHH!!! ... whether or not a hmmmhmmm is used... EWWWW!!!"

I love Melissa.  She brings unusual joy into my life.  Selflessness, a strange sense of humor, and silly string.  What more does a person really need?

<>< Katie

Happy Birthday, Homeland

For the last ten years or so, my church has done a patriotic musical every Fourth of July, and I have made it part of my Independence Day celebration.  One of the songs we do is entitled "Salute to the Armed Forces" where we sing the song of every branch of our military.  When their song is sung, the veterans are told to stand.  The congregation and choir alike applaud them for their sacrifice as we sing together. 

It's a powerful moment.  Or string of moments.  It's amazing to be in the congregation as amen and women all around you stand and are honored for their willingness to give.  One year, I sang in the choir and sitting in the second row was a solider in his dress blues.  I don't know if there was a dry eye in the building.

This year, something a little bit different happened. After we applauded, without the prompting of the choir or the director, the entire congregation moved to keep the beat with our hands.  I wasn't quite sure how to handle this in my no clapping, barely sing along Lutheran congregation.  We were all clapping together and singing at the top of our lungs.

In ten years, that has never happened before.  It happened at both performances this year.  Wow.

Those men and women who stood and could not stand deserve more than a round of applause.  So many more gave the ultimate sacrifice in laying down their lives so that I can sit here and type this sentence.  So many of them suffered horrific injuries, physical and emotional.  They've experienced more than I can ever imagine and they did it all for us. 
Army.
Navy.
Coast Guard.
Air Force.
Marines.
Thank you!

Happy birthday, America.  I am so glad to call you my homeland.

<>< Katie