I went on an overnight retreat from Friday to Saturday this
weekend about youth and discipleship. It was a good time of networking with
other churches and youth workers in PE and somewhat refreshing. One of the
speakers said something that I’ve definitely found to be true: Working with
youth is one of the most challenging and stressful lines of work…but most
rewarding.
Every weekend for quite a few weekends now, I’ve just
collapsed into bed feeling so drained, emotionally exhausted, and not sure how
I’m going to make it through another week of ministry. I need a break. Our
April holiday can’t come soon enough. And, what’s even better is my parents
will be in the same country as me in something like 12 days!
Last night at Firehouse was Hobo Night! Our team put on the
whole night. It was a lot of fun, but so much work. We decorated the entire
church in cardboard, newspaper and made shanty shacks. Most people came dressed
in their hobo clothes with lots of rips in their t-shirts, dirty faces, mismatched
socks, and toes sticking out of their shoes. We had a hobo fashion show and
played a few other games as well.
Our team did a demonstration with cardboard confessionals.
We all came out wearing black clothes and masks and made cardboard signs with
misconceptions about ourselves with how the world sees us, how we see
ourselves, and finally how God sees us and that’s when we took off our masks.
It was really powerful because the youth really saw that we are real people
with real issues.
Kevin and myself gave the message. We talked for about 10
minutes each. I gave a short testimony about the negative perceptions I see
about myself and how I’ve tried to change who I am and how I didn’t believe God
had made me perfect. We then had a cross set up and asked the youth to nail
their negative perceptions to the cross and to fill it with a positive truth
that God says about us. We also had a “mirror room” set up for them to walk
through and see themselves how God sees them and there were verses and “I am”
statements all throughout the room. It was a sweet time of ministry, prayer,
and reflection.
When I got home I just collapsed. I was so tired and just
didn’t know how I was going to make it through today, or this week, or this
month…
I need strength. I need the Father. I need to be poured
into. I’m feeling really burned out, but I love what I do. I just need to
figure out how to do it without killing myself. As much as I love going to EP
and working with the girls and teaching swimming lessons, my heart isn’t fully
there right now. My heart is with Firehouse, especially since I know that’s
what I’m going to be spending most of my time doing.
I will be sharing this request at all 3 services today! You are covered in HIM!
Much love,
Kari
Praying for refreshing and blessing to fall on you. May refreshing pour over you as you sleep, as you work, as you play. I pray that a spirit of sabbath fall on you as you work and play.
Much love,
James
Hey leah! Just wanted you to know I’m praying for you and your team. You are so loved and so missed by all of us! I hope the Lord gives you the strength you need my friend.
Hi Leah,
I love your reports. The mommy in me wants to impart wisdom on the benefits of service. When your body, mind and spirit feel depleted, there’s a leak. I’d like to encourage you to spend a moment of your prayer time asking for light into the dark corners where your work, words, or thoughts might be to please others or to please your own image (ego). When we do our work from our hearts, knowing it won’t be perfect because we are human, and we accept ourselves humbly, we inspire many more people than acts of super-human achievement. We set a good example if we say “NO” to something we know is not right within us…even if it’s just to postpone a task until it does feel right or to admit you need help. We become more accesible and give other permission to admit mistakes. Being human is COOL!! God was having a good day when He made you. Be sure to eat as well as you can & drink lots of water. Love, Auntie Joy
Leah, the Hobo Night sounds very powerful and I am certain the message will stay with all that were involved exhibiting and observing. This is closure time, take the gears that have been running full steam and begin the downshift. Make each day an intentional slow, break in preparation of what is ahead. The events and feelings are all a very natural order of things. As a result of downshifting, Seek stillness.
I will be praying for you. AND, I am SO EXCITED YOU MOM AND DAD are coming to visit you. I will keep praying and laughing with you over the joy that God has set before you.
God Bless You and Sleep Good. Love