Monday, January 6, 2014

It's a Lifestyle

Being a youth leader is not just a weekly event, it is a lifestyle and a calling

It’s rejoicing over every decision that your students make to follow God rather than the world

It’s Saturday night sleepovers and dance parties

It’s heart to heart talks and crying sessions on late night drop offs

It’s worship session around a campfire

It’s sharing not only the gospel, but your life as well (and don’t forget the fridge too J)

It’s the denial that with each passing year your students advance another grade and another year older

It’s celebrating their 12th birthday seven years in a row

It’s the shocking look people give you when you start talking about your kids

It’s sneaking on the high school campus to share lunch with the students and blending right in

It’s interrupting all talks of boys with the essential question: “Does he love Jesus?”

It’s replacing all alcoholic references in songs to drinking lemonade

It’s driving a 12 passenger van with the back seat removed so you don’t need a special license

It’s summer camp and weekend retreats

It’s Tuesday Bible Study, Thursday Youth Group, and Sunday Church

It’s constant accountability

It’s coffee dates and walks on the beach

It’s last minute bowling nights, and long anticipated broomball outings

It’s dressing fancy to go mini-golfing, and wacky outfits acceptable for every occasion

It’s bringing in the New Year with prayer and worship

It’s random texts and calls just to say you love them

It’s Skype calls and Instagram pictures

It’s footie pajamas and face masks
 
It's mission trips to Mexico and working hard in the dirt

It’s tea parties and gift exchanges

It’s learning to love and be selfless even when you are pushed to the limits

It’s learning to give what you didn’t even know you had
 
It’s sharing your regrets and mistakes in hopes that you prevent someone else’s

It’s lifelong friends and sisters in Christ


There are so many things that have defined my past six years as a youth leader, but the biggest definition aside from this list is the amazing students I have been able to work with! Whether here in California, or back in Colorado I am so thankful for all the students, specifically young ladies God has put in my life.  I know that this is what I was called to do, and I am so happy to do it!

To view a picture slideshow click here