Tonight at small groups it became clear to me that this would be the last time we sat in a circle together to dive into the gospel. I realized that in a few months I will be surrounded by a new group of people doing what we do on Wednesday nights. Community.
When I look back on this past year I had no idea that I would be doing community with 8 beautiful, smart and hilarious 13 yr old Jr. high girls. No idea! In fact I had this assumption (you know what they say about assumptions) that I would be plugged into our college ministry at our church and grow in my faith with them. I tried that for the summer and then I was asked by a friend to help co-lead a jr. high group. I tried to juggle both but became devoted to the Jr. high ministry. God lead me in a whole new direction.
Our very first night of groups my co-leader and I had 18 girls! That is a small church not a small group! We decided that if we were going to be accountable and consistent with these young ladies that we would both have to lead our own separate groups. I was terrified! Not to mention I look like I could be a Jr. high girl (I’m 4’10), I worried that I wouldn’t have answers and would confuse them or not be prepared to lead young girls in their faith. God reassured me every week with small proofs that I was right where I needed to be. Emails from parents telling us how much of an impact we make, texts from the girls through out the week and deep conversations that lead to deeper discussion about the scripture. One time I came to group and one of the girls asked to lead group, it was awesome! It was confirmation and once I understood that God was confirming my presence as a leader, I began to grow in my faith. Every Wednesday these girls came eager to read the bible and eager to go deep with each other. That is rare and it sparked the same eagerness in me.
These young girls became my community and my accountability in my faith. Tonight I felt a stir of emotions because this season is coming to an end and as it is i’m excited to see them grow and become close with God but a little heavy hearted because next year I won’t be there to walk along side them. What became clear was that in a few months I will be surrounded by a new community of God loving, God fearing people. As this season comes to an end a new season begins. I love Gods way, he placed an amazing group of young people in my life and I love their ease of life and how they truly love others. I admire how goofy and silly they can be no matter what the circumstance. I pray that God leads them though another year of jr. high and that they continue to grow together through Christ.
