This past weekend I had the honor and privilege of hosting seven young ladies in my home for something my church puts on called Disciple Now. Each of these wonderful 7th graders came with such sweet, different, funny, and great dispositions. Though out the weekend, I got to follow these young ladies on their own journey, attending with them different services and engaging them in a local service project. We had times for them to share what's going on in their world and its amazing to me, in what should be such a simple age, how complex life is already for these sweet girls. Some reported dealing with bullying, others said some of their peers are already engaging in alcohol, some are standing for their faith in situations where they are getting called out, and another sweet girl lost her mom to complications from cancer this last year.
All weekend I looked for opportunities to put an arm around them- to encourage them, and let them know how happy I was to have them for the weekend. I'm hopeful to continue my relationship with the girls and have the joy of watching them become young ladies, and if possible provide them with encouragement.
The weekend's speaker's name is Austin and he's from the Denton area. I'm so thrilled I was able to go with the girls twice to hear him speak. His stories of passionately living up to the call Jesus has for his life was challenging to say the least. I've really been thinking about the stories he shared about people passionately loving other people and sharing the gospel in parts of the world where they suffer serious consequences for doing so.
I'm so thankful to live in a community that is embracing, but how do I push the envelope? How do I not get comfortable?
In the last two weeks a man committed suicide in his car by parking on the rail road tracks less than a quarter of a mile from my home and on a near by street a three-year-old boy was killed by his mom's 20 year old boyfriend.
My heart is grieved.
These are my neighbors.
I'm not sure what the future holds, but I have been challenged not just to love my community through involvement in the local chamber or in sitting in positions that allow me to speak into the future of the community. These hands, these feet are called to love like Christ. I have to personally love people and at the same time look at the systems of a community that can breathe life into the lives and situations of my neighbors, no matter if they are .5 a mile or 10 miles from me. I also see the importance of empowering others, whether that be through ASCEND, my engagement at church, or hosting a special dinner in a friend's honor. What if we truly love? What if we authentically encourage? Don't we grow into a stronger and more loving community?
That is my hope for 2015. For my friends, for those I come into contact with in the community, and for these precious 7th grade girls. I hope that I can love them all well, and that in the end, we will be there for the child who is bullied, the man who has lost his hope, to encourage the 20-year-old with patience and love, and to support those who have lost.
