What's YOUR Impact?

This past year, I have been working with the youth ministry at my church. I have co-taught Middle School Sunday School and I have lead a small group of 8th grade girls for youth group. For anyone who has ever worked with middle school, you understand the ministry...the tough nights of disrespect, flat out ignoring whatever you are saying, and not finding what you are sharing important. Honestly, some nights I walk away saying, 'What am I doing here?,' or 'this is such a waste of time...they don't even care.' Tonight, I was completely blown away and it was as if every frustrating night I have had the last year was totally erased in one evening. Beyond the challenges of the pre-teen stage, God is doing amazing things in the lives of young people. He is walking them through tough transitions where their bodies are growing and developing. He is challenging them to be their own person and to take their faith as their own instead of their parents. It is a struggle to find that middle ground of feeling like a child still, but realized the independence they are slowing gaining control of. 


Tonight, I said my goodbyes. This time, saying goodbye was even bigger. They won't be able to just text me or facebook me whenever they wish. Being in Haiti will mean less contact. And not only that, when I get back, I am going home for 6 weeks. That is a whole 12 weeks away from my kids. During our small group time tonight I threw a party for my girls. I figured since it was our last night it would be special to have treats and just some fun times. Little did the girls know that I was surprising them with something else...


Something I have learned about myself, this last year specifically, is that God has given me the gift of encouragement. I LOVE to encourage people. I think that in our society we do not vocalize our appreciations of the people in our lives; those so important to us. We tend to just think, 'oh, they know how I feel about them,' but really, DO they know? How would they know how important they are if you never tell them? With these thoughts running through my mind, I decided to take a moment and appreciate each of the girls...individually...by name. At first, they weren't sure what the heck it meant to appreciate someone. They thought it was a joke. I said, "I know you struggle with hearing truth about yourself at this age. So tonight, I am going to speak truth to you. Each of you. And I want you to listen. Please listen to me."


As I appreciated each girl individually, the room gradually grew more and more silent...(which is an INCREDIBLY rare thing with my girls, especially after we had had brownies, cookies, mountain dew and sour candy). They were listening and not only that they were blown away that I had noticed them. Individually. I pointed it out. It bonded us. Instantly. 


After the night was over, Leanne took some time to pray for me. She asked 3 students to pray for me and to my shock 5 of them volunteered! (Our middle schoolers are cautious to pray because they don't want to do it wrong or something....) So, having 5 of them volunteer was huge and it already made it special. Each of them took turns to pray. They prayed for my safety, for my health and that I would come back to them! They wanted me to come back to them! After a year of wondering what I am doing and if it is even worth it, they wanted me to come back. Tears began pouring down my face, partly because I was realizing that Haiti is just 4 days away, but also a wave of sheer proudness was coming out. I couldn't believe it. After they prayed, they saw me crying and came running to the front and dog piled me. My middle school kids...surrounding me in pray, love and hugs. I really cried at this point. They gave me individual hugs and each said goodbye to me, in their special way...I was making an impact. 


This was just another lesson God wanted to share with me before I go to Haiti. I am going to Haiti in 4 days and I could not be more excited. I realize though that I might not see the impact I am making. I may wonder if it is even worth it. I might even think the whole trip was a waste of time. But I know now that the little things we do, the time we spend serving, God is working in hearts and in lives way more than we can ever see with our eyes. I have no idea what will happen in Haiti. But, I am confident that even though I may not see the outcome, I know God is working and for that, it is all worth it! 


So, next time you are discouraged that something isn't going 'super great.' Or, next time you are discouraged and wanting to give up on someone or something, ask yourself, 'what is my impact?' Will you allow your slight frustration and discouragement to stop you doing ministry and serving others? Or, will you use it as a challenge to trust that God is doing something you can't see? I know my response...what's yours?