Those of us that have teenagers probably have had one or two times of desperate times that we have been in prayer. They strive for their independence. We still seek to protect them. Finding the balance can be illusive.
CHANGE IS NEVER EASY
Back in 2011, God called us to in a unique way to change churches. At that time my oldest son was just starting high school and my youngest going into middle school. The church that we were going to was small and over 45 minutes away. As far as youth it was my boys, a girl a year younger than my youngest son and two sister's that were in their early twenties. My heart ached for my sons to have the same type of experience that I did with my youth group.
When it became obvious to my husband and I that we had to change churches that was my first desperate prayer that day. The way God answered that prayer that I will never forget. Once I looked the church up on the Internet and listened to several sermons it was apparent that is the church for us. They even had a youth group.
I emailed both the pastor and the youth pastor asking for prayer for my oldest son because he was going to be the most difficult one in this change. They both responded that Wednesday was going to be their first youth Bible study night. They would be praying.
When I told my youngest son he was excited to go. He missed having kids his age to hang with. He also knew his brother was not going to be happy so he would be praying for him.
When I told my oldest son I got a much stronger push back from him than I had expected. He yelled at me that he was never going to church again. That floored me. In tears I left he house and went for a drive. Crying, I somehow ended up at the park.
Sitting in the car bawling my eyes out I didn't know what to pray. The doubts started to pour in like a flood. Had I heard God right? Did I make the right choice? How can I do this to my child?
Finally a peace came over me. I was able to collect myself and headed back home. When I got there both boys met me Andy the oldest apologized. His brother had talked to him. He was willing to give it a try. BUT he didn't know if he would like it.
That Wednesday night when I took the boys to youth, I went in and met the youth pastor. Just from talking with him I was sure this is were God wanted us. As I walked out the door the look on my oldest son's face was one I never wanted to see. It was; my mom made me come. Once I got in the car I prayed that the Lord would touch his heart somehow that night.
I went home to get my husband who had arrived home from work while I had taken the boys to youth. We talked a little bit and then headed to pick them up. When we got there we were greeted with a surprise.
ANSWERED PRAYER
As I was trying to make the way over to the youth pastor to introduce him to my husband, my oldest son ran up to me with the biggest smile on his face and said that he was glad I made him come. He asked us to stay where we were so he could get the pastor and ran off. I went ahead and introduced my husband to the youth pastor.
As they were talking my son comes up with the pastor. He had sat in on the youth service and really enjoyed getting to know the boys. Soon the youth pastor brings my husband over to meet the pastor. As they were talking in walk a friend that we had know from another church and the way we had found this church. My husband and him started talking and it soon became a late night for everyone.
Fast forwarding to the present. The whole family is involved at the church. My husband and I are both involved on the tech team. My oldest son is the Creative Arts Intern. He is in charge of lighting, making videos, graphics for the youth and is over the youth tech team. My youngest son is involved with the children's ministry and second to his brother for youth tech.
It is amazing how God answers prayer!
CHANGE IS NEVER EASY
Back in 2011, God called us to in a unique way to change churches. At that time my oldest son was just starting high school and my youngest going into middle school. The church that we were going to was small and over 45 minutes away. As far as youth it was my boys, a girl a year younger than my youngest son and two sister's that were in their early twenties. My heart ached for my sons to have the same type of experience that I did with my youth group.
When it became obvious to my husband and I that we had to change churches that was my first desperate prayer that day. The way God answered that prayer that I will never forget. Once I looked the church up on the Internet and listened to several sermons it was apparent that is the church for us. They even had a youth group.
I emailed both the pastor and the youth pastor asking for prayer for my oldest son because he was going to be the most difficult one in this change. They both responded that Wednesday was going to be their first youth Bible study night. They would be praying.
When I told my youngest son he was excited to go. He missed having kids his age to hang with. He also knew his brother was not going to be happy so he would be praying for him.
When I told my oldest son I got a much stronger push back from him than I had expected. He yelled at me that he was never going to church again. That floored me. In tears I left he house and went for a drive. Crying, I somehow ended up at the park.
Sitting in the car bawling my eyes out I didn't know what to pray. The doubts started to pour in like a flood. Had I heard God right? Did I make the right choice? How can I do this to my child?
Finally a peace came over me. I was able to collect myself and headed back home. When I got there both boys met me Andy the oldest apologized. His brother had talked to him. He was willing to give it a try. BUT he didn't know if he would like it.
That Wednesday night when I took the boys to youth, I went in and met the youth pastor. Just from talking with him I was sure this is were God wanted us. As I walked out the door the look on my oldest son's face was one I never wanted to see. It was; my mom made me come. Once I got in the car I prayed that the Lord would touch his heart somehow that night.
I went home to get my husband who had arrived home from work while I had taken the boys to youth. We talked a little bit and then headed to pick them up. When we got there we were greeted with a surprise.
ANSWERED PRAYER
As I was trying to make the way over to the youth pastor to introduce him to my husband, my oldest son ran up to me with the biggest smile on his face and said that he was glad I made him come. He asked us to stay where we were so he could get the pastor and ran off. I went ahead and introduced my husband to the youth pastor.
As they were talking my son comes up with the pastor. He had sat in on the youth service and really enjoyed getting to know the boys. Soon the youth pastor brings my husband over to meet the pastor. As they were talking in walk a friend that we had know from another church and the way we had found this church. My husband and him started talking and it soon became a late night for everyone.
Fast forwarding to the present. The whole family is involved at the church. My husband and I are both involved on the tech team. My oldest son is the Creative Arts Intern. He is in charge of lighting, making videos, graphics for the youth and is over the youth tech team. My youngest son is involved with the children's ministry and second to his brother for youth tech.
It is amazing how God answers prayer!