Parenting & Youth Ministry .....

Two blogs published in one day. No ... it IS me, just have alot in my head and need to go somewhere with it. I guess if you don't like what I write, there is always another blog to read out there somewhere. I do hope you hang around awhile, read slow and savor my thoughts, but they are just that .... my thoughts, at random. Let me know if the colors are more suitable than they were before ... if not, I'll try again. Here are a few more ramblings.

The clerk asked me today if it was all ONE order. I wasn't in the mood and it was none of his business but instead I just replied, "yes, one order, but some of it is for my son so you can sack that seperate if you want". His reply was "You're a good Mom". Hhhhmmm .... ironic.

I had lunch today with a good friend. We call them our thearpy sessions. She is a Mom of special needs kids to and is also a veteran in youth ministry. We have known each other for a long time, been on many youth trips together, one of our UMW Ladies has told us we fight like sisters ... but have always found our way back to each other. Sistas in Christ ... in good and bad ... parenting kids and youth ministry ... hand in hand. I think sometimes they just go together.

Parenting is hard stuff. Most days you just try and do the best you can. You live, you breathe, you pray, you pray some more and the next day you just do it all over again. Someone accused me yesterday of being a bad parent, about spending more time with the youth I minister to than with my own -- hard piercing words.

And it makes me wonder, does it matter, doing what I do? does it matter that as a youth minister I have spent countless hours traveling, organizing events (that my own kids have benifitted from), have slept on too many church floors to count, spent many night tossing and turning over teenage drama, most of the time being on the receiving end of criticism.

And being a parent in the midst of it all .... just trying to be the best Mom you can be. Hanging out together at a movie because you want to just be close to them, buying a few extra groceries for them when they are out on their own, calls on my cell phone, simple hugs afterschool, correcting them, loving them and letting them go, my boys ... who are becoming young men .... loving them with all my being.

Even in the midst of hurtful words, criticism .... I am still a believer in the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. I have said the words below with conviction at countless baptism's. Birth kids or not, we are all God's children, walking side by side ... just trying to make a difference. And so I ask ......

What is wrong with being a shepherd? Does it matter?

"As members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them with love."

All God's People Say .... Amen.

Immersed In Thoughts Today ........

Lori