This past weekend I took a group of girls to see one of my college teammates, Trena Peel, play in a pro softball game. It's always so good to see people you went through the fire with; the challenging times in life, the laughs, the cries, the hillarious times! That girl has not changed at all :) Same attitude, same Tre :)
During the game, this young boy, who I would say was about 10 or so came running up the bleachers with tears in his eyes. We couldn't figure out what he was doing, because no one was sitting behind us. We were at the very top. He was just balling looking over the railing. I decided to go see if he was ok. "What's wrong man? I asked." "I lost my Daddy and I can't find him." Zach's little lips were quivering, as alligator tears rolled down his face. I took him to the press box, where they made an announcement for his Dad to report to the specific area. I still have a lump in my throat to what I saw next. After about five minutes or so, Zach pointed and yelled, "THERE HE IS!" He bolted off running down the bleachers, weaving in and out of people. His Dad in the meantime, was doing the exact same thing. When they embraced each other, his Dad held him oh so tightly, as if he would never let go. Zach sunk his head in to his Daddy's chest and just wept and wept.
Needless to say, no one in the group I brought had a set of dry eyes either. It was interesting though, because I think we were all crying for different reasons. I immediately thought about Jesus. I thought about how we get lost at times, how we may stray away unintentionally, yet Jesus is there with His arms wide open ready to embrace His child. However, I also noticed our girls in the group whose father's aren't present in their life. I couldn't imagine what was going through their heads. Abandonment, maybe? I wish my father would care that much, perhaps. I don't know, but my prayers at that specific moment was for each of them to come to know a Father who never fails. A Father who stays in pursuit. A Father whose love is perfect. A Father who wants them to come . . .
Love Deeply
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
2 1/2 More Weeks . . .
I cannot believe the summer has flown by so fast! It seemed like just yesterday we were welcoming in the staff and going through training. Now, we find ourselves preparing for the ending program a couple weeks in advance.
Being real with ya'll, I must say even though the summer has flown, that's not such a bad thing for me. I have really struggled this summer and I will be glad when it's over. Real glad! My personal opinion to anyone out there is this: if you are involved with full-time ministry throughout the school year, don't work any camps during the summer. It plays a toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and more importantly spiritually.
I'm looking forward to a trip back home in August. And feel free any of you out there who have connections and skymile points to fly me on an all-inclusive trip to a resort, on a beach, in the middle of nowhere :) :) :) oh, and can you add some wave runners to that too please! God is good as always my friends.
Love Deeply
Being real with ya'll, I must say even though the summer has flown, that's not such a bad thing for me. I have really struggled this summer and I will be glad when it's over. Real glad! My personal opinion to anyone out there is this: if you are involved with full-time ministry throughout the school year, don't work any camps during the summer. It plays a toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and more importantly spiritually.
I'm looking forward to a trip back home in August. And feel free any of you out there who have connections and skymile points to fly me on an all-inclusive trip to a resort, on a beach, in the middle of nowhere :) :) :) oh, and can you add some wave runners to that too please! God is good as always my friends.
Love Deeply
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Receiving Love
Some people can outright admit they do not know how to receive love, others can voice that loudly through their actions. Wherein lies the question, why do people struggle with receiving love? Is it the way they were raised? Is it because of situations that have happened in peoples lives? Is it because they have never been loved? Pride? Fear? Hurt?
In a way, I can relate. At times, I find myself struggling with receiving Christ's love. And maybe, when it comes down to it - that is the problem we face here in Aliquippa as well. I will say though, the Lord continues to speak to me in whispers, "receive my Love my Child." A lot of people we come in contact with don't necessarily know how to receive help, or love from our staff. Many times we are told "no" in situations where we know the need is extremely high. We face some individuals who will continually show anger and frustrations toward us, while we make it a point to reflect nothing but love back to them. Christ's love.
Christ's love is pure, forgiving, true, compassionate, kind, gentle, and perfect, to say the very, very least. When individuals do not know how to receive the love of Christ, in which ever way that may look, the heart of God itself is not received either. Our prayer for our kids and families here is to learn how to receive a Living God. To learn how to receive true Love, Christ's love.
We are confident in time, this will indeed happen.
Love Deeply.
In a way, I can relate. At times, I find myself struggling with receiving Christ's love. And maybe, when it comes down to it - that is the problem we face here in Aliquippa as well. I will say though, the Lord continues to speak to me in whispers, "receive my Love my Child." A lot of people we come in contact with don't necessarily know how to receive help, or love from our staff. Many times we are told "no" in situations where we know the need is extremely high. We face some individuals who will continually show anger and frustrations toward us, while we make it a point to reflect nothing but love back to them. Christ's love.
Christ's love is pure, forgiving, true, compassionate, kind, gentle, and perfect, to say the very, very least. When individuals do not know how to receive the love of Christ, in which ever way that may look, the heart of God itself is not received either. Our prayer for our kids and families here is to learn how to receive a Living God. To learn how to receive true Love, Christ's love.
We are confident in time, this will indeed happen.
Love Deeply.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Lebron James
I apologize ahead of time. Why in the world is this nation waiting on pins and needles for one man to make a decision about where he is going to play basketball in the future! Is this really what this world is coming to. Considering that not only Lebron James, but a majority of professional sports athletes could fund small nations with their respective salaries, I'm not too fond of any of the crap going on. :) The end. I'm done venting. It's ridiculous! But before I'm for real done, I will give credit and say that there are professional athletes who do take care of and give back in a way which truly reflects their character. Alright, now I'm really done! I just got mad. Enough.
As far as camp goes, we are finishing up week 3. This week we our providing our kids with criminalization and sex education. We had an individual who spent 13 years in prison come in and speak to our group, in addition to a local police officer. Both individuals offered empowering information on the consequences of decision making throughout their teen years. We pray that seeds were sown in our youth who are being pulled more and more to the streets.
As far as the sex education goes, I had a first. With parental consent, we were able to show our students pictures of sexually transmitted days. That wasn't the "first;" the "first" was the fact that one of our girls got so sick from looking at the STD's she had to go home. When I called her mom and told her, she laughed hysterically at me. It was great :)
God continues to show me how in pursuit of me He is. That He loves me, and He cares about me. He is my King. He is my everything. I pray that I am reflecting His Kingdom to our kids and our staff daily.
Love Deeply.
As far as camp goes, we are finishing up week 3. This week we our providing our kids with criminalization and sex education. We had an individual who spent 13 years in prison come in and speak to our group, in addition to a local police officer. Both individuals offered empowering information on the consequences of decision making throughout their teen years. We pray that seeds were sown in our youth who are being pulled more and more to the streets.
As far as the sex education goes, I had a first. With parental consent, we were able to show our students pictures of sexually transmitted days. That wasn't the "first;" the "first" was the fact that one of our girls got so sick from looking at the STD's she had to go home. When I called her mom and told her, she laughed hysterically at me. It was great :)
God continues to show me how in pursuit of me He is. That He loves me, and He cares about me. He is my King. He is my everything. I pray that I am reflecting His Kingdom to our kids and our staff daily.
Love Deeply.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)