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Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.
Be an example to all believers in what you say,
in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Nathan, my 17 year old son, had the incredible opportunity to share the large group teaching at our kids’ church camp this week. He spoke eight times, each lesson better than the one before. My heart burst with pride watching him.
It wasn’t really the message he shared that spoke to my heart -- though he did a great job teaching. Behind the scenes is where he really grabbed me. What the camp kids don’t know is that Nathan prepared for two months to do this. We spoke often about how to handle special situations. “Mom, if they get restless, can I do ?” Or, "Mom, is it okay if I explain this idea this way...?"
The kids don’t know how he wrestled in his own walk with the “logic of Jesus.” He went to God -- struggling to “understand” what can only be received in faith: the miracle of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. He didn’t back down from the tough stuff, but kept going back to God, back to the Word, and back to leaders he trusts -- asking for their input. But the kids don’t know his battle: they just heard him speak confidently about miraculous faith!
The kids don’t know that after each message he shared he asked, “How did I do?” (Great!!!!) “What could I do better?” Every single time. He wanted to give them the very best -- and each suggestion I offered, he used. He grew as a leader this week, because he chose to serve humbly, respectfully and intentionally. His heart was 100% committed to serving those kids.
I'm leaving for a speaker's conference next Thursday -- to further develop my speaking skills. Hopefully, I'll be as humbly receptive to other peoples' input as Nathan. He sure touched my heart!
Believe it or not, Nathan's choices after camp were even more amazing! Tune in tomorrow to find out what he did! May his example challenge you to look higher and serve with more love than you ever have before.
God bless,
4 comments:
This gave me goosebumps! What an amazing son you have! Praise God for him furthering not only his relationship with the Lord, but all of the kids he spoke to as well!
Becky,
Just wait till tomorrow!!!! ;-)
Seriously, when my boys were young, I wondered how it would all turn out. My heart's prayer was a close relationship with amazing kids who love Jesus. I knew I'd get the amazing kids part -- every mama has amazing kids! But to be so close when the world tells teens to avoid parents at all costs. AND to see him serve the Lord with his summer free time just blows me away. God is answering my prayer and I get to live in the joy of it all :)
Love ya!
Karen
What a wonderful blessing to hear your son teach and share the Good News! Hallelujah!
Beth
wow, i love hearing about teens loving and serving the Lord. I'm sure the kids he spoke to were able to relate to him well.
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