A Lesson from the Flu

I am consistently amazed how God uses our weaknesses as well as our strengths to teach us and use us in His ministry.

I have been sick with the some sort of cold/flu thing for the last week, and it has really sapped my energy. Realistically, I should have called in sick this last Sunday, but I had no volunteers available on such short notice, nor any written lesson plans to give them. So, I toughed it out and taught both Sunday School and Youth Group on Sunday.

Here’s what I noticed, though. My energy/excitement directly affects the energy of the group. It was all I could do to stay focused on the teaching on Sunday afternoon, and as a result, the time dragged on for everyone. I didn’t really want to be there; the kids noticed that and didn’t really want to be there as a result.

So what does this teach me? The youth will look to me and take their cues from me in the future. Am I excited? That gives them permission to be excited. Am I half-awake and half-aware? Guess what? That gives them permission to do the same. As I plan my schedule in the future, I will need to be as intentional as possible to plan to be well-rested, well-prepared, and very excited about what it is we are doing.

That said, no one can prepare for sickness, but I think that I shall start to write down my lesson plans when I am not feeling well.

‘Til We Meet Again,

Lee

October Newsletter

For today's post, I decided to share my piece of the church's October newsletter. It comes out of much thinking about my last post and about the lives of myself and my students. I hope that, in some small way, it encourages you as well.

"I love October and the excitement and beauty that it brings year after year. The leaves are changing, there’s a hint of snow in the air, and if you’re lucky, it means spiced cider and pumpkins and a celebration of another summer gone while looking forward to the winter ahead. I find it interesting, though, that we always think about autumn in terms of summer and winter. Much like springtime, autumn is an in-between time for the two much more pronounced, longer seasons. Have you ever noticed that?

"I think that this carries over into our lives and our faith as well. How often are we so focused on looking backwards at the past, or forwards towards the next exciting thing, that we miss living in the present? I myself have been looking back at my college and post-college time with longing, but I do this at the risk of missing the awesome opportunity I have right now! It’s now my job to study and to fellowship with some of the coolest teenagers a youth director could ask for. How cool is that? It still hits me most mornings when I jump out of bed, realizing that I am living the vocation to which God has called me! It’s unreal, and I am blessed.

"As you go about your lives this week, take some time to live in the moment; you might be surprised at what you find!"

This is my prayer for you as well, friends. Not only that you would enjoy the autumn season (around here it is way too short to begin with!), but that you would relish where you find yourself right now.

'Til We Meet Again,

Lee

Blog Neglect Awareness Campaign- (Or, Why I'm too Busy to Write This Month)

“I know I shouldn’t make excuses. It’s just that this month has been really busy, and I haven’t found time to write. I really think that this blog is important and functions as a great tool to connect me with a larger community, but it’s just hard to find the time.”

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever been in ministry, it should. It’s a problem I’ve run into already. Are you ready for it? People are busy. Like, really busy. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, really. We are a culture of action, where our self-identity and self-value is determined primarily by what we do. Therefore, if I want to gain value in this cultural context, I’ll fill my schedule with as many activities and obligations as I possibly can. I’ll complain about how busy I am, but secretly, I’ll make an idol of my schedule and of my busyness, sacrificing whatever necessary to achieve the coveted status of “busy.”

Have I indulged in a little hyperbole? Of course. But the truth remains the same. To clarify, I am not degrading the value and necessity of a good day’s work. I think what I’m getting at here is that we’ve lost healthy boundaries for work. We’ve dismissed recreation time and relaxation as frivolous and wasteful. And in the process, we’ve lost sight of the plan God has had for us from the beginning.

What does this all have to do with youth? Sadly, the epidemic that started in the adult culture has spread to the youth, and, quite possibly, has affected them far more than it has the older generation. I’m sure the parents’, coaches’, and teachers’ intentions are good. The teenage years are a perfect time to explore the different opportunities that lay before you, and it would be a shame to waste those opportunities. But the youth are full beings too, and even more than adults, they require rest and play.

That’s something I’ve noticed in these past weeks. First, it’s going to be increasingly difficult as the school year progresses to schedule activities that even half of my already small group can attend. Second, I don’t want to be just one more voice, telling the youth that they need to do x, y, and z. I want to offer them Sabbath; I want to provide them with a time and a place where they are free to explore their identity as God’s beloved children without the pressures of “doing.”

That’s where you come in. What are practical, concrete ways to encourage rhythm and rest in the lives of students today? What has worked in the past for you? How can I encourage attendance at what I truly believe to be beneficial activities without adding to their “busyness value?” Your thoughts are welcomed!

‘Til We Meet Again,

Lee