Volume 26: Rest in Weekends Away

 

As much as I love a good routine, I am a big advocate for taking a group of youth away from their normal routine of daily life for a weekend. There is something really beautiful about the moments when a middle or high school student is able to just BE. To not have to worry about the stresses of home or school or friendships or family etc. And surrounded by a community of people that are kind to one another and around leaders that champion them and love them well. 

Ski trip weekend with my old youth group continues to be the one of the best weekends of the year! I admire the way Mike, Lindsay and Jody so naturally create a space for relationships to deepen, centered around the things that matter. I risk being "that girl" that keeps going back on her hometown youth group's trip because I so fully believe in the seeds that the trip plants in lives of young hearts. And even now, several years removed, the weekend continues to water the seeds it planted in me 9 years ago when I realized what a life with Jesus could be! 

But, here's the thing... A weekend plucked out of daily routine and life is not just good for middle and high schoolers... It's just as good for any of us. The weekends away when you don't even know what time it is. When there's nothing that has to get done. When your phone is in another room and you have no desire to check it. 

That's the kind of weekend I just had with Maggie, Preston, Jess and Lanier in Blue Ridge. We had a jammed pack day of fun - playing games, sharing meals together, and laughing HARD. Reunited with my college roommates and just so fully enjoying being in one another's presence. 

In this past month, I have seen the whole Maier family, my old wyldlife teammates, friends at my birthday party, 3C youth, and now my college best friends. The weekends have been so rich. But today, as I sit and reflect, full of gratitude, I am challenged to find the joy and gratitude in the week days too. Jesus is just as good on a Wednesday at work than He is on a Saturday skiing in West Virginia. He is constantly providing and His love and joy never ends. 

So may I be quick to open my eyes to the provision and joy that constantly surrounds me in each and every day! There is always something to be thankful for. How unworthy we are!

And may we also be quick to be distraction free and fully present with who is around us, whether on the weekend or week day!

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Gospel Study Reflection:

Today, we read Mark 14 (whew, what a long chapter!). While there is A LOT to break down in this chapter, there was one thing that I clung to this morning. As Jesus's death was coming, He called out both Judas and Peter, two of the people that had been with him closely during His years of ministry.

Throughout this study in the gospels, I have been learning a lot from looking at the lives of the disciples. And with these two specific situations, I thought to myself.... why didn't Jesus stop them both?

He knew Judas well - He would have had every right to confront Judas about betraying Him and beg him to not go forward with aiding the chief priests. He could have reminded Judas that no amount of money would be worth it. But Jesus didn't. He knew Judas was going to betray Him from the beginning, yet He loved Him. He knows our broken, human hearts. And more importantly, Jesus knew that it was all a part of His Father's greater plan - the prophecies had to be fulfilled. 

And with Peter, why didn't Jesus simply sit Peter down and have a conversation with him to not deny Him. Peter loved Jesus and wanted to please Him. Jesus could have given him specific tools and encouragement to help him stay strong when temptation came. But Jesus didn't. He knew that Peter needed to go through the lows to understand His love for Him even more. 

Both seem like they could have been easily prevented, but Jesus never promises to keep us from pain or suffering. He allows us to figure things out on our own, even if it brings us temporarily discomfort. But He never forsakes us; He is always there, ready to run towards us with open arms when we are ready to return. 

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Child-like Joy Moment

This morning at church, there was a little boy sitting in front of me. He was constantly fidgeting and couldn't quite keep still, but then came a moment when he proved he was actually listening to the sermon. 

Pastor Eric was talking about Jesus showing up to the disciples after His crucifixion and that he entered into a locked room. The little boy immediately turned to his mom, with a face of awe and said "He walked through the walls!!??" 

It was so pure. So innocent and full of wonder. May we have that same response to the miracles in Scripture. May they never become so familiar that we lose the awe and complete amazement of what happened! 

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This week, I missed a call from Elsa.... :(