I just returned from the Celebration of Life Breakfast at MADD's National Conference their 30th Anniversary. The feature presentation was a slide show of photos of children, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, cousins, uncles, aunts, friends, co-workers, all smiling. All buried.
I couldn't let this moment go by without telling you about the amazing people I've had the honor to meet. I marvel in the courage, tenacity and motivation they have to tackle each day as a victim, survivor or advocate of the impact of drunk driving. I'll throw distracted driving into the mix - because no one should have to lose their life or capacity to live fully because of "LOL" or WTF" or "TTYL" - and certainly not because of a mojito, chardonnay or bud light, or mascara.
I ask God for the grace I do not deserve. I have made poor choices in the past. The culture was different. I am ashamed. I am changed. I am determined. Thirty years ago wrote about Tim Smith, the 4 year old I babysat, who was killed by a drunk driver. He'd be a young man now. Maybe the father of a 4 year old. He counsels me from the right hand of the Father.
I asked God for help last night. He has answered with a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit and the bond of human touch. I reach out to you. To say I love you. And whatever you may be struggling with, my prayers are with you. God Bless.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Kids are Alright - Youth Group Adventures
I attended the wedding of one of "my kids" last night. "My kids" are the teenagers that were in the youth group I was honored to have the opportunity to lead from the mid 90's to the mid 2000's. There must have been more 200 young people that, between 7th and 12th grades, shuffled through the youth area in its requisite basement gym location. So.... when did you guys grow up?
During his toast, the best man cited 2 of our work trips among his best memories of the "groom". I have to admit, I didn't know they threw pennies out of the back of the church van. I'm sure they could tell me a lot of things I didn't know about. Colorado, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia, New Mexico, Louisiana ... these are the some of the states where we made our mark - built houses, fortified tin roofs, poured foundations, cleared land, leared about tolerance and diversity, sleeping on wrestling mats and in tents and having flat tires on turnpikes.
Do you want to hear the stories you didn't hear about in the all church slide show. My first work trip was Pagaosa Springs Colorado. We chartered a bus instead of the mini van caravan. Being new at this whole thing, I thought I would introduce everyone to my "hip" version of youth ministry through my love of movies. I thought we'd start off with a comedy from my day... a little film about teen hijinx and growing up...
Lesson learned #1, if you haven't seen a movie for awhile, watch it again before showing it to your church youth group on a bus. Animal House may not have been the best choice. I'm sure I worked it into a discussion about morality, pre-marital sex and censorship.
Lesson learned #2 - when you cross the border into Canada, make darned sure they are going to let you back in. On our way to Maine, we stopped at Niagra Falls, and wanted to be able to say we'd been in Canada. We piled into the 15 passenger van and land ho, took a picture under the 'Welcome to Ontario' sign. The US border crossing guard assured us we did not need papers to return. The Canadian crossing guard had other ideas. "This is not just a bridge. It's an international border." became our catch phrase for the trip. Thankfully I did not have to call the pastor back home and ask for bail money.
Lesson learned #3 - There is an Almost Heaven West Virginia, and yes, it is. And it is not a good idea to use oil based paint in a paint fight.
Lesson learned #4 - The Oklahoma City bombing memorial is a somber reminder of hatred fed by fear, rhetoric and ignorance. But leaving something precious to you at the wall will leave a lasting impression of peace and hope for mankind to keep trying.
Lesson learned #5 - Dateline Taos, New Mexico: an unplanned, emotionally charged crisis is an ideal training tool for team building, perserverance and conflict resolution. In short, we were staying at an army barracks that was robbed and vandalized in a horrific manner. With shaken adults, devestated youth and a job half done, do we stay or do we go? Table talk goes from who likes who and the latest tunes to spiritual warfare and truly meaningful discussion of WWJD. They decided that the crime was a desparate act of evil forces, and we would not be moved from our task. I'm quite sure it was a life changing event for most of us. We prayed, we stayed, we built, we kicked satan's ass. And I believe at least one person got a belly button piercing without my knowing. Hey, I can only be so many places at once!
Lesson learned #6 - Dulac Louisiana is hot hot hot. And the tin roofs are hotter hotter hotter. Air conditioning is one of man's most amazing inventions. And people who have nothing will give you everything and not ask for anything in return.
Ohhhhh, I could go on. I could, as they say, write a book. And this doesn't even cover the stuff that happened right here in Illinois, in the church basement, or at East Bay Camp. Each young person that crossed the threshold, holds a place in my heart. I will never forget you and always pray for you. God bless you. And congratulations Jake and Sarah.
During his toast, the best man cited 2 of our work trips among his best memories of the "groom". I have to admit, I didn't know they threw pennies out of the back of the church van. I'm sure they could tell me a lot of things I didn't know about. Colorado, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia, New Mexico, Louisiana ... these are the some of the states where we made our mark - built houses, fortified tin roofs, poured foundations, cleared land, leared about tolerance and diversity, sleeping on wrestling mats and in tents and having flat tires on turnpikes.
Do you want to hear the stories you didn't hear about in the all church slide show. My first work trip was Pagaosa Springs Colorado. We chartered a bus instead of the mini van caravan. Being new at this whole thing, I thought I would introduce everyone to my "hip" version of youth ministry through my love of movies. I thought we'd start off with a comedy from my day... a little film about teen hijinx and growing up...
Lesson learned #1, if you haven't seen a movie for awhile, watch it again before showing it to your church youth group on a bus. Animal House may not have been the best choice. I'm sure I worked it into a discussion about morality, pre-marital sex and censorship.
Lesson learned #2 - when you cross the border into Canada, make darned sure they are going to let you back in. On our way to Maine, we stopped at Niagra Falls, and wanted to be able to say we'd been in Canada. We piled into the 15 passenger van and land ho, took a picture under the 'Welcome to Ontario' sign. The US border crossing guard assured us we did not need papers to return. The Canadian crossing guard had other ideas. "This is not just a bridge. It's an international border." became our catch phrase for the trip. Thankfully I did not have to call the pastor back home and ask for bail money.
Lesson learned #3 - There is an Almost Heaven West Virginia, and yes, it is. And it is not a good idea to use oil based paint in a paint fight.
Lesson learned #4 - The Oklahoma City bombing memorial is a somber reminder of hatred fed by fear, rhetoric and ignorance. But leaving something precious to you at the wall will leave a lasting impression of peace and hope for mankind to keep trying.
Lesson learned #5 - Dateline Taos, New Mexico: an unplanned, emotionally charged crisis is an ideal training tool for team building, perserverance and conflict resolution. In short, we were staying at an army barracks that was robbed and vandalized in a horrific manner. With shaken adults, devestated youth and a job half done, do we stay or do we go? Table talk goes from who likes who and the latest tunes to spiritual warfare and truly meaningful discussion of WWJD. They decided that the crime was a desparate act of evil forces, and we would not be moved from our task. I'm quite sure it was a life changing event for most of us. We prayed, we stayed, we built, we kicked satan's ass. And I believe at least one person got a belly button piercing without my knowing. Hey, I can only be so many places at once!
Lesson learned #6 - Dulac Louisiana is hot hot hot. And the tin roofs are hotter hotter hotter. Air conditioning is one of man's most amazing inventions. And people who have nothing will give you everything and not ask for anything in return.
Ohhhhh, I could go on. I could, as they say, write a book. And this doesn't even cover the stuff that happened right here in Illinois, in the church basement, or at East Bay Camp. Each young person that crossed the threshold, holds a place in my heart. I will never forget you and always pray for you. God bless you. And congratulations Jake and Sarah.
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