The
past couple of months have been pretty ridiculous. At every turn there is more
stress. I’ve been signing up for next
semesters classes and fishing my last three weeks of school. But I also signed
up for the St. John Bosco Conference through the University of Steubenville so
I can receive my youth ministry certification. That is what has been weighing
on me the most. It’s daunting to know that I will probably be the youngest
person there and this determines my entry into the professional side of youth ministry.
Today I was on the phone with my
mother and I brought up the conference. As we talked I realized just how scared
I was about the whole thing. I mean I have five days to run through a guided
crash course in youth ministry. That doesn’t seem like much time. But she
reminded me that I’ve been involved in ministry since the 7th grade
and probably have more life experience than most of these people anyway.
Even with that extra parental boost
of confidence I still didn’t feel ready. So I went about my day and stopped at
the organic store, Earth Fare, in Centerville, OH. Not thinking about anything
I grabbed my groceries and a bottle of tea and I drove home. Well that bottle
of tea held what I was looking for. Being so stressed lately my prayer life has
been lacking and God and I haven’t had a heart to heart in a while.
I opened my bottle and about half
way through the drink I realized the cap had a message, “Yes we can.” Those
three little words were all I needed. Sometimes I get so hung up on the big stuff
that I forget the small stuff. My mom was right. I did forget all those hours I
spent at youth group on Sundays and everything I’ve learned. I forgot that my
age is working with me because it allows me to relate with the kids. But most
of all I forgot that a few minutes in prayer could’ve saved me all this
trouble.
That leads me to a fact that many
of us fail to remember. God doesn’t mind reminding you how wonderful you are.
He is just like any other parent who wants to see his children succeed. Through
out our lives we will all have a lack of confidence and get hung up on something.
When this happens you need to remember that you are not alone and that asking
for help doesn’t make you weak. At the time I didn’t know how to ask for help,
but God knew I was going through something so He did something about it. He
left me a note just like the ones my mother would leave in my lunch. He left a
little reminder that He believed in me just like He believes in you.
