9:1

I have heard it said that one must say nine nice and uplifting things to make up for one misplaced negative thing. I am living in that reality right now.

I just finished leading another great Wednesday night youth group service. It wasn't great because of me. In fact, I realize that I was so busy with paperwork and details that I missed out on many great things, but it was great because God was there. I am excited as I see the way that God is working with the 789s ministry.

After youth group I noticed a couple from the Sr High youth group hanging out in the parking lot and decided that the youth pastor-ly thing to do would be to go talk to them and pretend that I was just there to talk so that they would see that they were really not the only two people in the world. Of course, when they saw me they exchanged a quick hug and he walked away. The girl was standing by her car with a very upset look on her face.

I guess I should give some background...about the past year (since she left the 789 ministry and entered Sr. High ministry) this girl has seemed upset with me. I have talked with the Sr. High leader and have spent time in prayer and sat down and just tried to think for a time back on anything I could have said/done to upset her like this. I have nothing.

So back to tonight...I decided that since no one else was in ear-shot but people were still all around us that it would be an appropriate time to ask her if she was upset with me. Of course she said 'no'. I explained to her that it is very easy for me to say things without thinking about them first and sometimes it can hurt peoples' feelings to which she said 'yep' and got in her car and left.

I worry that the same fate my sister chose is one that she may consider. My sister used one misplaced statement by a youth leader as an excuse to leave the church and begin a relationship of sin. Unfortunately it doesn't matter what the youth leader shares with her or if she apologizes all day, my sister will not forgive her. I keep a few pictures of my little sister from her youth group days in my office as a reminder that it can be ANYONE who is turned away from morality and sensibility because of the power of the tongue.