My Lively Little Stones: May 2011

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Elevenish Months Later

Ok, I am going to get better at doing this on a regular basis. It has been 11 months since I last posted, so, as you might guess, a lot has happened.

I am very proud to say that we have had several baptisms since I last blogged. Lets make sure I get everyone... There was

Jayme

& Wayne (who is very camera shy)

Who had the rare experience of being baptized in a hot-tub on a back porch in the middle of winter. Bet they never forget that one.

Brianna

Marissa

And most recently, Jacob

I am so proud of all of them and the people they are becoming! They are growing spiritually and becoming more Christlike everyday, which is why the remind me of these stones (ok so they are technically minerals but "potato tomato, potato tomato" as Megamind would say.)

They are called fairy crosses and the one on the bottom is about as perfect as they get. since they are minerals they "grow" and as they do the start to resemble a cross more and more. So, here's to all my kids who are doing the same. I love you, and I am so very proud!

Precious Gems

Let me explain this blog for you. It is based on the passage above, and the way I perceive my youth group.

Few people appreciate young people the way that they should. They are like many people who seeing an unfinished diamond or other precious stone think it nothing more than your average, everyday pebble and cast it aside. They don't recognize the great treasure that is within their grasp and they let it slip away. I'm no better, only different. I have trouble, at times, seeing past the problems, habits, and less than attractive attributes of those who count themselves as set in their ways. When I look at a child I can only see the potential.

When I was 5 or so years old, my grandfathers were my favorite people. My mother's father was a rock collector, or at least a rock lover. I would bring him all the amazing finds of the day and ask to put them in his rock polisher. He would often inform me that what I had found was glass, fools gold, gravel, flint, slate, or some other worthless thing. He meant no harm by this, he simply knew his rocks, and he taught me how to better recognize the worth of a stone. I am still that same kid, I see the beauty in the glass, pyrite, and gravel of the human variety... but you know what? With children, telling them that their worth something often raises their market value. I think I have gotten pretty good at spotting the gems (not that I really ever toss any rocks out). I believe I am learning to see each child as the Lord sees them, precious.

It helps that I have been blessed with an exceptionally good and godly youth group. These guys make up my joy and prove my labor in the Lord is not for nothing. They give me so much more than I could ever give in return, and I want them to have the recognition they deserve. So youth, if you are reading this, think of this blog as a display case to help more people to be able to see you shine. I love you dearly... and even with you guys not here I'm still tearing up the way I would if I tried to tell you this in person. God help me.