A New Year

So we had our HSM kick-off night yesterday and I would have to say it went very well. The beginning of the year is always bitter-sweet for me.

The beginning of the year is exciting because I get to see a whole bunch of youth that I haven't seen very much over the summer. Also, seeing how much some people change and mature over just one summer is pretty crazy. It might sound a little hokey, but I get really excited to work and plan and dream with the leaders. Each year we try our new experiments on a few more guinea pigs!

But there is the flip side to the beginning of a new HSM year. For starters, i am going to miss a whole bunch of kids that I just spent the last four years getting to know and sharing life with. I am going to miss them this year.

But the most rewarding part of being a youth leader is seeing and being a part of the change that happens in someone's life. Words can't describe how awesome it is to witness that proverbial light bulb turn on - when someone realizes that this church thing is more than just a church thing. Most of the teens that left last year grew sooo much in their last year especially! So it is sad in one sense to see them leave, but I know that most of the them will make a huge impact in other peoples lives. THAT is way better than keeping them to myself!

Looking ahead at the year in front of me, I wonder who will grow. I wonder what new kid will stroll in and find that HSM is a place where he/she feels accepted. I wonder also, about the kid that could walk in and have no one talk to them. I wonder if I will say what I need to say when it needs saying. I wonder if I will shut up when I need to shut up. Will I be real, honest, and open enough with who I am? Will my life model the kind of stuff that we talk about every Wednesday?

There are so many questions, but our first night might be a bit of an indication on how the year will unfold. First, there were a few new kids (niners) that showed up. As far as I could see, they fit in like...um...well, they fit in. Younger kids were commiserating with older kids. There were no fist fights (I guess this has probably never happened on a first night, but it's still a good thing it didn't happen) but instead there was this air of happiness. This sounds cheesy I know, but that is what makes a youth group; people come and stay because they feel loved and accepted. Simple? Yes! But that's what I saw and felt. I didn't see or hear anyone being made fun of or put down.

Judging by that first night (and i know it's probably not too much to go on, but..), I feel like we have a youth group that is willing and wanting to step it up a notch. I see kids who are looking out for the needs of others and wanting to grow and be changed. I am looking forward to this new year - the challenges and rewards. I think I like bittersweet.