Friday, February 25, 2011

Thank You

As I was sitting in our very first youth group meeting I was thinking of the people who had helped me on the journey to that chair I was sitting in. I thought of the great circle discussions I had with my Father in law. I remembered the counsel I received from my Pastor through the years of growing up. I remember the love I received from from a wise Doctor and his wonderful wife in those moments I felt like giving up. I remembered not to long ago my journey to sonship that my two fathers in Wyoming led me on. All of this led me to that moment sitting on a chair ministering to a room full of youth.

I am entirely grateful to all of them and the many others who have helped me become the man I am today. I hardly do everything perfect and there is much room to grow but I am content with the place I am in right now. The place of helping to rebuild a youth group and watch young people grow in God. The place where I am able to lead and love my wife the way God intended. The place of great joy as I watch my children grow and learn.

Several years ago I would have never have thought all of this possible. I had given up and resorted to my own frustrations. I had allowed myself to be stuck in between a rock and a hard place. In this time even though it was not what my leaders believed to be the best they allowed me to take a journey to find out who I was and more importantly who God was. Even though they were worried and didn't think it was the greatest decision they allowed me to take their daughter, grandchild, friend, and niece on my much needed spiritual journey.

So I send a thank you to all of my leaders because in that journey God taught me what it was meant to be a son. What it meant to love and work hard. To never give up when the getting was tough. To always be open to God and love Him like a son. With the help of great leaders and friends God taught me how to trust, how to believe, and how to be content with who God made me.

Now I have the privilege of helping young people journey into finding out what being a son or daughter really is. It's a great responsibility and so to those who have meant so much I credit you and God with allowing me to be the leader God intended.