Tonight he spoke at youth group on community. He named his youth group as a community and his small group. I marveled as he named the strengths of each member of his small group and how he honored them and the role they each play in small group. Then he related the importance of their differing strengths using wisdom and humor intermittently. Each time he commented - if they all had the same strength, they would not have....
For example, if they all listened well, no one would ever share.
If they all brought great snacks, they would all be fat.
If we all kept everyone in good spirits, we'd only show up to community in hard times.
If they all had the ability to hold another accountable, no one would ever want to be honest. The list continued...
After Wade listed each strength, this sixteen year old boy told each young man in his youth group that he was loved.
Then he conveyed to us that as important as the community inside the church is, we were not created as community to just serve each other. We were created to serve the community outside of the walls of our church and take love those who are alone or hurting. His final point, when we serve others, we strengthen ourselves.
When his father read what Wade had prepared and shared later this evening, Joey looked up at me and asked, "Did you help him with this?"
No, I did not.
My son is far from perfect, but he is strong and courageous.
What has cut me off at my knees has seemingly empowered him, strengthened him and propelled him toward the purpose for which he was created. And I am humbled.
Why I ever wanted to be anything but Wade and Taylor's mother, I will never know. It is my greatest honor, my finest accomplishment, my purpose and my privilege.
#bestrongandcourageous
Deuteronomy 31:6
Joshua 1:9