Give Our Youth Hope by Dori Jones

As we approach Mother’s Day, I reflect upon many things. My own Mother. My Sons. Me… as a mother. This year, Mother’s Day comes after having completed my courses for Youth Ministry and, well, I’ll try not to cry as I write this.

Teenagers. Oh, how the word invokes many things. A long sigh. Okay, long Sighs. It brings me some pangs of sadness - missing their cuddle years; and thrills of excitement – anticipating their launch into adulthood and living on their own. And of course, those can be flipped!!! Sadness, they’ll be leaving. Thrills of excitement that they made it this far. God has carried their beautiful souls along and they’re growing up! And so much of that is because my sons have attended FCC throughout all seasons of their life!

The youth ministry course wasn’t originally one I planned to include on my assignment track, but I will be forever grateful I was called to enroll and complete it. Through every module of the twelve-topic course, I was thoroughly engaged and fascinated by the subject matter. The enthralled capture of my attention had a lot to do with my own teen years in foster care. I was blessed to have been placed in a youth group home operated by the Methodist church, yet they also accommodated ALL our different religious backgrounds. I distinctly remember how Sundays were a unique day since counselors and vans took us to multiple locations, different churches. I could not have really articulated then how this was so deeply critical. How divine God-sent it was that an organization of one denomination didn’t ‘mandate’ that we all went to one church, their church.

I suppose part of why this part of my youth comes to mind having gone through the ministry courses I have so far is that…. They’re NOT denominational. At least I don’t feel that way and they only bring up denominations when stating occasional historical differences in doctrine. As I take my classes, fueled by my willingness to listen, and act upon God’s calling, I find my interest and enthusiasm far more renewed each time. I don’t know how else to say it, but I’m finding it refreshing that in ‘answering God’s calling’ the process of ‘doing the action’ to answer it becomes easier. It just feels odd using the word ‘easier’ because ‘easy?’ would not have been how I would have described this journey when I started. I’m sure this topic will be one for me to reflect further on, return to for discussion and endeavor to be more educated in.

Back to Youth Ministry…. Now, having shared what I have so far. I can’t help but be sure to also share just how vitally important the entire scope of Youth Ministry is in my heart now. Some of it is joy-based enthusiasm to share the gospel and God’s love. And… truthfully, also equally much of how the course made me feel was WORRIED.

Very worried.

Worried about all the youth that miss out on a relationship with Jesus, miss out on the fellowship and connection of youth groups, miss out on the safe, loving reassurance of God’s grace. It was overwhelming. It was unsettling. It was sad…to think there’s youth in our World missing out on what was so freely and lovingly given to many of us!

And it was humbling. Humbling and I just still sit in miraculous awe at how blessed my Sons were to have grown up a part of our FCC family! There would never be enough digits or commas to place a value on the gift my sons gained having come to FCC, from the love and wisdom of our CCC faculty, Sunday School teachers and Youth Group Directors.

Thankfully… the overwhelming stress of worry doesn’t stay with me long having journeyed to where I am in my own relationship with Jesus today. As I shared in another reflection blog, ‘God doesn’t have grandchildren’; so, the worry lifted. And was replaced with trust. Trust, as I know God’s got it covered… and I can smile in contented relief.

Now…. THAT doesn’t mean I do nothing. Say nothing or don’t aspire to do something. Yes, taking the course was an accomplishment of having gotten into action when God called upon me… to listen! Now, I keep going. I know that part of that means continuing with my ministry coursework. I also know that means ‘be ready’ and ‘be listening’ to when God speaks to me about just how my spiritual gifts and talents will be vital for the Youth ahead of me on my journey.

In summary, as fantastical as it may sound, when I reflect upon all my spiritual dreams and aspirations, one thing is clear. I have to say this next one out loud and put it here, in writing. I’m confident part of God’s direction to take this course was because I will be the foster mom I dream to be someday. To share with another (like me) what I was given so simply and freely in my own teen years. To share the gift of God’s Word to His children out there that don’t have FCC. That don’t have parents or the love of a church family to guide them. There’s a calling here… He’s speaking. And until the direction of ‘how’ becomes clear, I am going to keep my ears and heart open!

Prayer: May we strive to spread God’s Word and love to younger generations. May we return the divine grace we’re freely gifted to others and endeavor to include our youth in our daily walks with God. May we strive to be an example of God’s grace in the lives of our youth. May we convey to them what God’s love looks like. May we endeavor to share the gospel, God’s Word and Give Our Youth Hope.

‘Unsettling’ by Doris Faye Jones

There’s an unsettling, a stir of chaos that can drive madness,

By its cold calmness, unsettling the soul.

Paralyzing with no cause found, capturing its prey to keep it bound.

A stillness of torture, unsettling the mind.

Trust in Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, for He is: the way, the truth, and the life.

Settle into His love, He’ll cast out your torments thereof; Settle your spirit.

Stay faithful and believe, for God’s Holy Spirit endures, There is no reason to be unsure!

Settle into His grace, and hope will stay lit upon your face; Settle your heart.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”