Thursday, February 21, 2008

Living to learn

It amazes me that no matter how old we get or how much we think we know, God continues to remind us that we have so much more to learn. Every week I learn so much more about what God has in store for me in my life and how he wants me to grow and move out of my comfort zone. We think we are the youth sponsors and we are there to lead the youth but I promise you that there is not a week that goes by that I do not leave knowing God has spoken to me that night and has shown me where I need to step up my game. Raising two teenagers so far has been the hardest experience of my life but yet, the most rewarding. On more than one occaision I know I have told them that Ty and I are not experienced at being parents of teenagers and we are learning as we go just like they are not experienced at being teenagers and are learning as they go. It is all trial and error and there are so many bumps and bruises along the way that leaves us so scarred and sore sometimes but in the end I know as a family we will be strong. I feel this same way as a Christian. It does not matter that I have been a Christian for such a long time, and that I have been a leader in my youth group when I was a kid, and a camp counselor for as long as I can remember and worked in a church in some compacity for most of my adult life as a volunteer. I still fall daily and bump my knee, I still stay sore and get stiff, BUT what I do know is that I have a Father who loves me and picks me up when I fall and dusts me off and sends me on to try again. He never gives up on me. I may give up on myself but he never gives up on me. Now, my job is to remember he is always there and lean on him when I am weak and unstable so that I do not fall and when I am strong I need to praise him for his strength and use his strength for his glory. If I use this in my parenting skills with my children, imagine what kind of home my house could really be? Love you guys!

3 comments:

Brook said...

Yea, I'm your first comment giver! I love the title of your post by the way...Living to Learn! It's so encouraging to hear a sponsor say...

"We think we are the youth sponsors and we are there to lead the youth but I promise you that there is not a week that goes by that I do not leave knowing God has spoken to me that night and has shown me where I need to step up my game."

You get it. You get that being a sponsor isn't about being best friends, or even just being there for the teens, you understand that God has more in mind with this youth ministry than just that. Sure, it's fun, loud and we worship God there, but if a person, adults included, doesn't come expecting for God to talk to them, then they are wasting their time. It's interesting how much we learn about being a "child" of God by being a "parent" of children. It's strange how God teaches us through those relationships. God can use anything to reach us!

NaNa's Nonsense said...

Thank you Brook! You always inspire me! Love ya Hun!

3wild1sMom said...

NaNa that picture of Miley is crazy. I was there when it was taken. I don't remember that wild and crazy look. You will have to help me put friends and stuff on my blog. This is just was too cool for a women of my age!!!
I love you. You are a great friend