Confidence
Its waining. I work with the youth at our church and i seriously have just fallen in love with some of the girls. They are typical teens with typical drama, but they are growing and learning from all of it. But when you hit a snag its Killer! When someone doesnt appreciate spiritual guidance, no matter how good my intentions are, i feel defeated and start questioning if i’m even right. I dont want to be anyones mom…but i love having the opportunity to share my mistakes hoping someone can learn something from it. But when you work with someone who is determined to make their own way in life and who doesnt care for your advice or to learn from your mistakes, it totally shoots your confidence. At least it does mine. Then i wonder if i should even work with youth. And i wonder if i get overly involved in their lives. That 2nd part is probably true. Thats my mistake, i guess. But being involved lets you know they care and that your willing to bear their burdens with them, or so i thought.
I’m determined to not let satan use this situation. I was watching charmed friday and it was about a darklighter who gave people bad luck and then convinced them that everything was their fault and that they should just stop trying to help people. It was in efforts to keep people from becoming whitelighters (like angels). I thought it was so funny that God would use such a crazy/wacked out show to speak to me. I guess when i’m desperate for encouragement and not getting into my word to find it, He resorts to using whatever he has to to reach me. I’m so grateful for that. So i dont want to be discouraged from working with youth, but i do want to learn from this…how can i be a better mentor? Should i even be called that? That seems like such a grown up word and implies perfection of some sort. Diciple-er. Thats me. someone who has made almost every mistake and wants to share them with others so that they can see what’s coming. But i’m so bad at it…
advice? seriously…i could use it if you would take the time to give it.
My advice from my experiences is that you just keep plugging away & pray hard. Show God’s love thru your love. Unconditional. You go nowhere by accident, wherever you go God has put you there….
Comment by Julie — April 27, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I tell you what! Keep being involved! Some of my best memories growing up in church took place in middle and high school! I absolutly LOVED my Sunday school teachers and outreach leaders! I think about them still and greatly appreciate how they gave of their own time to help me grow into the person that I am today! Don’t give up… keep on caring and loving. I know you will!
Comment by miriam — April 27, 2008 @ 2:26 pm