1 Timothy 4:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
I have gotten the question countless times, and I won't be surprised if I hear it again this weekend: why in the world would you ever volunteer with humans as dramatic, crazy, emotional, and trouble-making as jr highers?
This weekend I am counseling a group of amazing jr high girls at a camp called Ponderosa. We'll be heading up with the rest of our jr high group this Friday (SO excited!) and will be coming back down Sunday. This will be my first time leading a cabin by myself!
Anyway, back to the verse. So often times Jr highers get overlooked and undermined, and most importantly misunderstood. A lot of people don't realize that jr high is a critical time in a person's life. Not even the fact of "middle school" persay, but the ages ranging from 11-13 are just a very important time of beginning to figure out who YOU are, who you AREN'T, what you don't/do like, what you're skeptical about/ what you're sure about. If high schoolers were skeletons and children were cartilage, jr highers are the soft snail shell that can be grown out of, or stay hardened. (Did that metaphor make any sense at all?) What I'm trying to say is, jr highers are the in-between of having no independent thought and having almost only independent thoughts. If anyone needs a friend, mentor, or just PERSON in their life; they certainly need one in jr high.
Yet, being on jr high staff for 3 years now, I am really learning how much wonder and potential they have. It's not even potential. It's just THERE! If I could express anything to them critical about their age, it would be to never let anyone look down on them and their hearts or belief in Christ because they are in jr high. I see these kids constantly being curious and setting examples around them. I see them loving, reaching out, and wanting to know more about Christ. I want to be more like THEM! They are examples to me, in my life! I am an 18 year old in college and I want to follow their examples.
Lord, I thank You so much for involving me in the jr high ministry. I am completely blessed to have such amazing youngsters in my life. I love them so much. I pray that I could be a complete reflection of You to them, not just this weekend but everytime I see them. And I pray that I can be reflected to as well, that I would learn from them much more about You. I pray that the entire jr high staff would plant seeds of love, guidance, and directions straight to You. I also pray for complete protection, health, and safety this weekend as we travel there and back. We also pray that homesickness wouldn't be an issue. And as far as whatever happens with my mom tomorrow, I pray that my mom's condition wouldn't effect me ministering to these students. I thank You and love You. THank You for this amazing opportunity. I love You and lift up the entire jr high ministry to You. In Jesus name, Amen
♥Chrissy
I have gotten the question countless times, and I won't be surprised if I hear it again this weekend: why in the world would you ever volunteer with humans as dramatic, crazy, emotional, and trouble-making as jr highers?
This weekend I am counseling a group of amazing jr high girls at a camp called Ponderosa. We'll be heading up with the rest of our jr high group this Friday (SO excited!) and will be coming back down Sunday. This will be my first time leading a cabin by myself!
Anyway, back to the verse. So often times Jr highers get overlooked and undermined, and most importantly misunderstood. A lot of people don't realize that jr high is a critical time in a person's life. Not even the fact of "middle school" persay, but the ages ranging from 11-13 are just a very important time of beginning to figure out who YOU are, who you AREN'T, what you don't/do like, what you're skeptical about/ what you're sure about. If high schoolers were skeletons and children were cartilage, jr highers are the soft snail shell that can be grown out of, or stay hardened. (Did that metaphor make any sense at all?) What I'm trying to say is, jr highers are the in-between of having no independent thought and having almost only independent thoughts. If anyone needs a friend, mentor, or just PERSON in their life; they certainly need one in jr high.
Yet, being on jr high staff for 3 years now, I am really learning how much wonder and potential they have. It's not even potential. It's just THERE! If I could express anything to them critical about their age, it would be to never let anyone look down on them and their hearts or belief in Christ because they are in jr high. I see these kids constantly being curious and setting examples around them. I see them loving, reaching out, and wanting to know more about Christ. I want to be more like THEM! They are examples to me, in my life! I am an 18 year old in college and I want to follow their examples.
Lord, I thank You so much for involving me in the jr high ministry. I am completely blessed to have such amazing youngsters in my life. I love them so much. I pray that I could be a complete reflection of You to them, not just this weekend but everytime I see them. And I pray that I can be reflected to as well, that I would learn from them much more about You. I pray that the entire jr high staff would plant seeds of love, guidance, and directions straight to You. I also pray for complete protection, health, and safety this weekend as we travel there and back. We also pray that homesickness wouldn't be an issue. And as far as whatever happens with my mom tomorrow, I pray that my mom's condition wouldn't effect me ministering to these students. I thank You and love You. THank You for this amazing opportunity. I love You and lift up the entire jr high ministry to You. In Jesus name, Amen
♥Chrissy
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