Ministry Daydream

Summer break is a great time to relax. I'm so thankful that I have no homework or assignments for 2 months ! But at heart I do love to plan, research, and prepare. So I can't help but think about and "preplan" what next semester will hold for me.

I will be heading into my first semester of my Junior year.
I'm also in a new major. New classes, new books, new opportunity to see God move in my life.

My new major is Youth and Family ministry.
I would have never picked this major on my own, and yet it seems perfect. I adore my youth pastor and his wife. My teenage years are not the same without them. I feel completely unqualified and scared to death that I will fail at this but I'm also extremely excited to see turn these ashes into beauty.

The longer it takes for us to become parents, the more I crave opportunities to be a "surrogate" to kids and teens through ministry. God has used ministry as a major healing power in my journey to become a mom. While it can be great practice, it is something that will always be a need. Every town, every community will have youth that need someone to listen. When you're a Christian, you don't have to look very far to find ministry. Your life is ministry.

So as I day dream this summer I like to in vision what I hope to do this fall with youth ministry:

• Ladies Bible studies
• Morning brunch with teen girls group
• Pamper parties at the salon/spa
• Using my house for devotions
• Meeting with teens for lunch at school
• Maybe be a sponsor on a youth trip
• Write encouraging notes
• Attend sports games or school events

What were some of your favorite youth activities ?
How did a youth minister or sponsor impact your life ?

Unglued

I become unglued on a regular daily basis. So much in fact that my husband will call me by my mothers maiden name ( Peyton) when my feisty attitude comes to the surface.

I was drawn to Lysa's book Unglued because as I yearned to dive deeper into ministry, I was getting the feeling I couldn't take this silver tongue with me. It's not possible to build bridges when you're tearing down hearts.

When I look at my unglued moments most of them are geared toward defending my friends and family.

I am deeply protective of my friends and family. If you meet me I want to be your BFF. That also means that I am in your corner forever. I have your back even when you're wrong. My circle of friends call me "Mama Renda" because I want to take care of them and protect them from others harm. I will go down fighting for them even if it's for the wrong reason.

At work I become unglued when people to recognize the hidden team work that takes place to get things done. I want to be the best at what I do, I want to be liked by everyone. I want to be the favorite.

At school I become unglued people preach at me. As an adult student, these little kiddos have no idea what they are getting into. How do they have the right to tell me what to do ?

At home I become unglued when I come home from work and my husband has not cleaned the entire house, washed all the clothes, and cooked dinner.

You see, when I look at my unglued moments most of them are geared toward defending myself, being selfish, and not focusing on God.

I have found that starting my morning off with scripture makes a BIG IMPACT on how I will react or respond to the unglued moments throughout the day. School ends about 4pm this Thursday and this summer I am looking forward to refocusing my lifestyle. Finding an older woman mentor is a goal of mine this summer.

After revealing my unglued moments I do have hope from Lysa. She shares that there are areas where it is okay to become unglued. It's okay to become unglued when you see people hurt by sin. It's okay to become unglued when others are being hurt and you hurt for them. It's okay to become unglued in a way that leads to healing and building of the kingdom of God.

~Renda