Living Life Together

Nineteen years ago we entered our first youth pastorate.
Newly married.
Young and inexperienced.
Naive and sometimes incredibly foolish.
But we knew God had called us.
And we loved Him.
All we wanted to do was follow passionately on His heels and set the pace for the young people entrusted to our care to do the same.

We made mistakes.
Dumb decisions.
Like the time we had a planned event and returned back to church hours later than expected...without calling.
Ouch.
Yet even then, God was plainly at work to mold and conform us to His image.
The parents extended us grace...and loving correction...and forgiveness.


We've grown up a bit over these past 19 years.
In a lot of ways, we grew up with our kids.
We've grown in our passion for Jesus.
We've grown in our knowledge of His Word,
but more importantly,
we've learned better what it means to live it out.
Countless parents have prayed for us and welcomed us into their lives.
They entrusted us with those they love most in the world,
praying that God would have His way...in all of us.
And as we entered the teenage years with our own boys,
it's frequently been those parents---those who are just a bit
ahead of us in the parenthood journey---
that we've looked to for godly wisdom and insight.
We walk together, love each other, and do life together.
It's our heart's great joy.

We've had the privilege of loving hundreds and hundreds of students over the past 19 years. 
We've had the pain of releasing them when it's come time for them to fly. 
All across this globe are our kids.
Students we've loved.
Students we've prayed for. cried over. rejoiced over.
Many are actively, passionately pursuing Christ in everything.
Some are actively pursuing other loves.
And some still are attempting to run far from Him,
refusing to believe He is the only One who will truly fill their heart's every need and longing.

Youth Ministry has never been simply a job;
never a drudgery or something to be endured
(even on the annual camping trip).  :)
Through the mountaintop joys and the heart-wrenching lows,
it's been our delight and answered prayer to follow Jesus together. 

Change.  The mere word can cause me to break out in a sweat.
We certainly weren't looking for or anticipating it.
Nevertheless, it's that inescapable, never outgrown, never expired fact you can most definitely count on.
It's a tool in the hands of a loving God.
And though I have shamefully spent much of my life trying to avoid or spurning change,
I'm learning that my ever faithful Abba Father uses it to make me more like Him.

The leadership of our church family has approached my husband about taking on a new position within our church.
That of Pastor of Adult Ministries/Discipleship/Family.
This, of course, means he'll no longer be a youth pastor.
This is the first time I've written those words, and I have to tell you that simply writing them opens a floodgate of tears.
But somehow there's peace amidst the questions.
There's this crazy excitement amidst the daily realizations of what will be no more.
There's full confidence that this is the way God is leading and guiding, even though it hurts. 

So my heart is incredibly full these days.
Full of memories and wistful longing.
Full of joy and thanksgiving for all that has been.
Full of deep ache and sorrow over a seeming ending.
Full of excitement and anticipation over a new beginning.
Full of inexpressible gratitude for being in relationship with a beautiful church family with whom we can love and serve and be reminded that---even amidst change---it is completely safe to trust Jesus.