02 Aug MY BIRTHDAY GIFT
It was my birthday July 20, and I got this very heart-warming message from a young lady:
To say that this was one of the top hallmarks of my day would not be an overstatement. Of course I got loads of gifts, cards, cakes and messages. My husband and children celebrated with me and bought me special gifts that I so treasure. But this message just melted my heart, I was over joyed yet humbled that in those short years God could use my imperfect life to affect a group of young teenagers, most of whom have become university graduates and serve God even more fervently. God alone be praised!
The years 2003-2006 were a very interesting season in my life. I worked with a set of very curious and active teenagers who were all -be- it hungry; hungry for something more than they already knew and had. Something more satisfying than the world they lived in had to offer. The young lady who sent me a message was one of them.
It was a very draining time because I and the team of leaders I worked with were constantly bombarded with questions and issues they faced and had to deal with. Teenagers do have a lot to deal with I must say, just like we all had when we were teenagers. Pressures to handle, choosing right over wrong, swimming against the tide…
Unfortunately, we expect them to know just what to do, how to handle the challenges of life without teaching them, much more praying for them. Such expectations are unfounded; it will be baseless to expect the teenagers in our lives to behave in positive manners when we have not taken the time to teach them or model to them the best attitude to put up and they best way to handle life and its challenges.
These teenagers were not perfect but we had such a great bond, we saw ourselves as family and everyone could feel the overwhelming love in our midst. Our gatherings were not always convenient but these kids always longed for our meetings, they found it a great place to exhale after a week full of pressures.
They shared some things with me and I believe with other members of the leadership that were very scary, things that I cannot even begin to mention, things that they had to face and deal with and sometimes, things they cannot share with their parents for fear of rejection.. Working with them wasn’t always convenient, but I had fallen so in love with them and felt like I had so much to give. I poured out my heart to them.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV)
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
I yearned and prayed for them to desire God above all else, so they could make the right choices in life. We learnt so much together, me from them and them from me and few years after my family had to move from that city.
Is there someone or some people in your life who you feel led to teach or impact in some way? Do not relent; you will never know how your life can affect others until you allow God use you.
Proverbs 22:6 (CEV)
Teach your children (or your neighbours’) right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right. Just for emphasis
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men…
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Linked with:
Thankful Thursday
Thirsty Thursday
Aloha Friday
ugochi-jolomi/BWbi
Blond Duck
Posted at 01:00h, 03 AugustPopped in from SITS! Happy birthday!
Ugochi
Posted at 07:54h, 03 AugustThanks Blond! I appreciate you.
Sarah Evans
Posted at 12:21h, 02 AugustHey I love your banner – such a lovely scene!
Visiting via the Thankful Linkup 🙂
Sarah
http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk
Ugochi
Posted at 14:05h, 02 AugustThanks Sarah,
I appreciate your compliments.
Have a great day!
Danielle
Posted at 11:58h, 02 AugustReading this post encourages me so much! My husband and I work with teenagers as well, and sometimes you just feel like they “dont get it” or you’re not getting through. But, this really encourages me to keep on going and to pray for them more. Thanks so much, Ugochi! 🙂
Danielle @ Healing the Heaviness
Ugochi
Posted at 14:04h, 02 AugustOh Danielle,
I felt like that so many times! But I was wrong, God does the work, we just need to show and be the light, He does the rest. I look forward to many more times with the teenagers as I group, I work with them now on a personal basis.
Just keep up with the good work, the future will tell you how much of a blessing you have been.
Thanks Danielle and have a blessed day!
agman
Posted at 11:18h, 02 AugustIt would seem you planted your footprint within those teenagers to follow, a rare gift indeed, well done, and belated wishes on your birthday
Ugochi
Posted at 14:00h, 02 AugustThanks bro! I only asked them to follow me as I followed Christ. I am so delighted they are turning out great!
Have a great day!