I don't know how parents do it! The amount of love and protection you must feel for your children is truly incredible! I am a single 29 year old and the closest feeling I've ever had of unconditional love has been for my two nephews and my Chocolate Lab, Bear. I am aware that neither example come as close to really having children that you have loved and sacrificed for from the minute they were born.

Thursday morning, I had an experience I've never had before. I woke from a dream that shook me so much I ended up praying about it all morning as I got ready for work. I dreamt I was back in the church where I grew up with my 4 year old son (who was absolutely adorable by the way). We were going through VBS and a teenager came up and told my son that Santa Claus wasn't real. I just stood there in shock watching the bewilderment that my son was just faced with, and was totally appalled that a teenager would take that belief from him.

I knelt down next to my son and asked, "Are you ok? How are you feeling?" He responded with a straight face and said "I'm ok, Mommy." At that exact moment I was both incredibly sad for my son and incredibly angry at this teenager for taking this belief from my son. I came to some kind of reality that I am a Youth Minister who God has called to have grace and love for our teenagers.

As I continued to pour over the heartbreak I felt for my son, I noticed that he was handling this breaking news much better than I was at that moment. I then woke up from my dream feeling haunted by that unconditional loving feeling I had for my son in this dream and still conflicted with how I would have actually responded to a teenager if that really had happened.

It made me more aware of how much grace and love parents truly need to have for other people who hurt their children. I mentioned this dream to two of our small group leaders on Sunday who are also parents. They said the only way they get through those tough times with their children is literally just prayer. How appropriate!

Parents, you don't get enough credit! For a split second I had some kind of idea what being a parent must feel like, but the reality is, no one could do your job! We are so grateful to partner with you here at Merge Youth Ministry and want to continue to encourage you as you face some challenging situations with your teenager. You ARE doing a great job! When you need an extra boost of grace and love just remember to go to our Father in prayer!

Director of Youth Ministry 

August

Wednesday: Middle School Bible Study, 6:30-8 p.m., Magnolia

Sunday: No Merge Activities due to Labor Day Weekend

September

6: Night of Joy, 2 p.m. - 2  a.m., Magnolia 

13-15: Girl Chrysalis Retreat

20-22: Boy Chrysalis Retreat