Confession: I have made some poor choices in my life. Every time I think that my way is best, my Heavenly Father God proves me wrong in one way or another. This has become even more apparent recently. I will not bore or entertain you with those details.

I frequently say that I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. When I was a teen, I wanted to work with the elderly. That didn’t pan out. I’ve had a lot of different jobs. My most satisfying jobs were working with elementary aged children. You see, I worked in special education for over 9 years, grades K-8. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be working with kids. But, God seems to know me better than I know myself (go figure!).

During my morning prayers, God whispered for me tell you all about something He put on my heart to do, and even though I thought it was a bad idea (OK…a CRAZY idea), I obeyed. Turns out He was right…again! (Even though I continue to have my doubts to this day.)

A couple of years ago, I was listening to the Youth Pastor at church speak about needing people to work with the Youth (grades 8-12+) on Wednesday evenings. As usual, I immediately thought that there was no way I was a fit for that job! Teenagers are scary! Teenagers are complicated! Teenagers are messy! Teenagers are opinionated! Teenagers don’t like me! But God didn’t listen to my doubts, and He put a strong urging on my heart to get in touch with the youth pastor, so I obeyed.

Through several back and forth emails with details and whether or not I would be a good fit, we both agreed that I should come to check things out one Wednesday evening. I’ve got to be honest, after that night, I wanted to run as fast as I could back to my special needs grade schoolers, in spite of one amazing student who welcomed me with open arms (Thank you, Ba!).

But I didn’t. The welcome I got from that one student (Love you, Ba!) was enough to keep me going back. Week after week I kept going back. These teenagers, while complicated, messy, and opinionated, aren’t as scary as I once thought. And some of them do like me (I think)!

I found my niche working with the students who aren’t into the Open Gym activities. I’ve never been good at sports, so I gravitated towards like-minded teens. I began doing crafts with them, and that has evolved into creating cards for fundraisers and playing games.

A few months after I began working with the teens, the Youth Pastor invited me to be a leader at the next CIY Conference. Once again, the doubt crept in, and agonized over whether or not I could do that. But, not wanting to disappoint, I obeyed.

That week with the teens at a university several hours out of town was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I had the privilege of getting to know them, learning about their vulnerabilities and strengths, seeing their successes and disappointments, worshipping with them…even in the mosh pit, praying with and for them, and enjoying their incredible talents during a talent show. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to spend some one on one time with some of the kids, just driving them home on Wednesdays (love u, F!), hanging out for coffee (love u, Z!), going to a play (love u Br!), having them pray for me (love u E!), learning from them (thanks O-love u!), getting messages checking on me (love u Br!), and most recently, seeing them simply glowing the day after returning from a mission trip (love you, E!). Whenever I see the kids at church or at a local store, I get hugs and high-5s (love you Ad, As, Ba, Be, Br, E, O!)

Although I still have my personal doubts, God seems to have been right once again. If God has been urging you to work with the teens at your church, I highly recommend that you at least give Him a chance to show you His plan for you. You might think He’s gone crazy, but I can assure you, He hasn’t. Today’s teens need you! The enemy is working overtime on today’s teens to keep them from living the lives that God intended for them. We need an army to prevent that from happening!

It just may be time to step outside your comfort zone. Do it! I dare you!

Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly come to you and ask that you bless the person reading this. You know what they need. Please provide for them as only You can. I ask you to continue to bless and protect our youth. Place someone in their lives who will encourage them to live the life that you intended for them. Help them to see themselves as You do. In the name of Your Precious Son, Jesus, Amen.