I will admit that it sometimes takes me a minute or twelve to understand why God is inviting me to attend/volunteer in particular ministerial situations. One such occasion took place this past weekend when Bo and I were asked by the youth leader of our church to accompany her, three other adults, and over twenty youth to a place called Faith Ranch. We accepted the offer to go along, but I had no clue at the time what the purpose was of us attending. I knew, regardless, that I would have a good time with the people present, and we were going to be hanging out in nature. For me, it doesn't get much better than that.

After a long car ride with three young teenage girls talking about everything from "I killed a guinea pig one time when I was six!" to "Poor Khloe Kardashian. She's the fat, ugly one," (This particular part of the conversation will play into a future blog post, so keep an eye out for ways that I think our society is failing to articulate women's worth unless they fit a largely-accepted stereotype for what is considered "beautiful.") we finally reached our destination and the madness ensued. Teenagers racing to the rooms they wanted, a rousing advanced version of hide-and-seek was enthusiastically played, and finally we were off to bed. Despite being exhausted, there was no sleep for this girl, which made for a cranky beginning to the next day.

Breakfast at 8 outside in low 30-degree weather the next morning only added to the crankiness. "Lord," I asked, "what in the world am I supposed to be taking away from this? I'm tired, cranky, and I don't know how I'm supposed to lead small group sessions later today while being both of these things." So, the mild snarky-ness coupled with attempts to be patient and enthusiastic continued through the next few hours until it was time to lead small groups. And wouldn't you know it? I was put with all boys, whom I figured would refuse to talk to me about the importance of taking time to spend with God. Pausing to be with God was the theme of the weekend, and I realized shortly into our time in small groups together that these boys were much more invested than I assumed they would be (That's what I get for assuming), and we were able to have a serious discussion about the opposing forces of our busy schedule and the crucial need to spend time with God.

I think we often (myself included) discount the power of our youth to teach us things about our faith. But I can honestly tell you that the youth of my church helped me to reflect on ways that I was failing to pause in my own life to spend time with God while also remembering why it is so important that I do make time for those pauses throughout my day. Yeah, I was cranky because I was tired and cold, but what if I had made time before my day even began to thank God for the opportunity to retreat to a place that so evidently displayed God's beautiful creation for the weekend? What if that had been my primary concern, rather than finding things to gripe about?

My favorite part of the weekend was stations worship that we set up for the kids to do. It was such a humbling and fulfilling experience to create that space of worship for our youth. Sitting in the dark, looking at the candles burning, finding myself consumed by the music that softly played in the background, watching the youth move through and "pause" their lives at particular stations was really a rejuvenating thing.

I took away from the weekend a much-needed reminder of taking time to spend in God's creation and also the reminder that taking the time to spend with God in general is essential for our functioning as humans, and I think this is especially true for ministerial leaders--not because we are more important but because we are called to care for the spiritual potential and flourishing of others.

I think one of the most enlightening things that I took away from the weekend was the idea that there is an essential connection between ministerial leaders taking time in our own lives to commune with God and providing spaces and words that encourage spiritual growth for others so that they may nurture their relationships with the Holy One. If we want to foster real relationships with those under our care, and if we want to encourage authentic relationships between them and God, we have got to do better about fostering our own relationships with God.

So, my encouragement to all of us who find ourselves responsible for the spiritual vitality of those under our care--whether in congregations or inner circles (both kinds of relationships being incredibly important)--step out from behind the computer screens, TV screens, phone screens and let's spend time growing our relationships with one another, and especially with the Holy One who loves us so, the One who reaches out to and desires a deeper connection with each and every one of us.

[[Thankful that God is always reaching out to us.]]