My pastor gave a sermon over the summer about sharing your story.
It started before youth camp and later became the running theme through the sleepless camping experience that the teens and tweens of the congregation shared one long weekend in June.
Pastor spoke about sharing. We run through our busy lives trying to keep track of work, school, chores and activities. We tend to squeeze in some worship and fellowship when we’re not too exhausted from responsibilities and life. When could we possibly have time to sit and just talk story with each other, share a meal, and expose our lives?
As this theme wove itself through the youth camp, I discovered antics of teens I thought were just too cool for adults like me. I am just someone settling in to the middle of life, yet wants to have well-rounded connections with both young and old.
Hearing how their lives were just as hectic as the adults they surround themselves with, they were begged to slow down their pace by the leaders and just share a meal.
It was time for prayer and a plate of pizza.
Adults shared experiences. The youth shared in return increasing the value of discipleship making a point that we all walk this Christian life together.
So many youth think that they are islands. They want likes and popularity, but they seek it on their own terms based upon the social media norms of the day. Input from adults seems to be voided out as soon as they step out their front doors or enter their passwords into their smart phones.
Adults sharing experiences and then youth sharing in return increased the value of discipleship and made a point that we are all walk this Christian life together. Click To TweetI had a conversation with a loved one about how she thought I could no longer relate to kids going through high school. I was told that I am too far gone to have relevant thoughts and opinions on matters and in no way could make suggestions to get out of the bondage that society has on 10-20 year olds. Never mind that I have three children those ages living in my own home.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
I laughed and said, “I will tell you a real story of life. Kings and Queens of the Bible faced the same things that our grandparents faced, that our fathers faced, that I faced and that you face. Nothing is new under the sun, Child. We may have technology, but perversity, popularity contests, and bullying has always existed and will never go away until the Lord comes back.”
This story, in itself, never changes. The change in your book starts with you and whether or not you embrace modern thoughts on old issues.
Psalm 119:46
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame
You place our congregation, our youth group and my own family all at the same table, something is shared. We talk through trials, misunderstandings and how we triumph through it all and the Lord is woven through. We see His faithfulness, goodness and what we need to strive for. Our testimonies may look different, but we all start and end the same, as children of God all striving for eternity.
Our testimonies may look different, but we all start and end the same, as children of God all striving for eternity. Click To Tweet
Join me as I track through 31 days of free writes with my Five Minute Writing Community. Today’s theme: STORY. For more posts, please click here.
Goodness! If you’re too far gone to relate to young people I don’t know where that leaves me!!! The ebb and flow of relationships through the ages is interesting isn’t it? I can remember as a teenager, my grandpa wanted to share stories of his youth with me so badly but they went in one ear and out the other back then. Now I would give anything to hear them again! I see the same thing in my attempts at sharing with my adult children. The veiled rolled eyes, the scrolling of the phone. You are so right! Nothing new under the sun! This is good, Maryann!
It’s funny because I always enjoyed the stories my grandparents told. Maybe it was just me. This is why I feel very blessed that my children enjoy talking to me about my childhood or even ask me about my parents and grandparents. I hope they keep this interest as they get older.
I loved this! It’s the Spirit that keeps us relevant to one another. I thought you wrote about that bond beautifully. I’m proud of your efforts to write for 31 days as well. It’s no small task.
Thanks, Traci.