Real big tops service

Who goes to the circus anymore? I think I’ve been on one circus in my life. I’m not against the idea of a circus but I just don’t go. If I ever had the money I’d love to catch Cirque du Soliel. That’s some frigintastical stuff there. I’ve seen several shows of the acts and would love to see that in person, but honestly it will likely never happen. It’s just not that big of a deal.

Of course, the big top has nothing to do with this post. This is the traditional Youth night follow-up.

Tonight was interesting. This was the first time I departed from my planed sermon. I was supposed to speak on being a servant as a follow-up to last week. I have it all planned out but I just couldn’t shake the idea that has been burdening me these past weeks. Sometime before service I just knew I had to talk about that so I sorta just opened my heart to them.

I told my students how I’ve been feeling a heavy burden for them knowing that so many don’t have parents that know how to be parents. I just talked about the stuff I posted yesterday and encouraged them to come to me or the other workers. I told them how I wanted to be with them all anytime they needed someone but I can’t always be. Still I wanted them to come to me and I would do my best to make time, or they could go to the other leaders.

Anyways, everyone seemed to really appreciate what I said. I was given the opportunity to back up what I was saying right after service.

One of the girls feels lost in her family. Her parents are divorced and are both dating and giving less and less attention to her. She is allowed to do what she wants, stay out as late as she wants and when it comes down to it she wants to have rules. I let her talk for quite a while as we sat on the floor. It must have seemed weird to see with me sitting a few feet away not even looking at her much of the time she talked. I was paying absolute attention but I try to keep a level of distance between myself in the girls. I got my wife to come over and let her hug on the girl and put her arm around her as we prayed.

I’m also starting a new contest with my youth. I send out a text with a question. The first person to respond back gets a free lunch with my wife and me. We are taking one of the youth to CiCi’s tomorrow.

Anyways, thanks to everyone for the prayers. I think this is why I needed them. There are so many in the Youth that are in this same place. I hope to spend more time with each of them.