Blessing

For the past couple of months I've been involved with our youth group. We meet on Sunday nights for about 2 hours. We have song/worship time, share time, prayer groups, lesson time and then a unique game time. It has been a blessing to me in so many ways- I often feel like I'm actually the one benefitting from this type of service. These kids have often lifted me up and it's been a part of the week I sincerely look forward to.
I didn't have a very good day- emotionally. Paul and I were kind of having a bump in the road the past couple days and it's just left me feeling depressed. And then what adds to that, I feel guilty for even being down because this time of year is about Jesus' birth. I shouldn't be stressed about anything- I'm a Christian afterall. But the "flesh" part of me has prevailed I guess. So tonight, I'd of rather have wallowed in self pity- truth be told. But we had plans. Tonight was the youth group Christmas party. We had a sitter lined up- Paul, myself, and Tyler were going to go. I talked to Paul this afternoon at work- he had a crummy day and didn't want to go either. Oooh- that satan thought he could get us. But we went and we both were really glad we did. Nearly the whole youth group was there, we ate- seriously like Kings, and those kids- I'm am so blessed to know them. We laughed till we nearly cried. Paul sees why I love being involved with this group- he sees the difference the Lord makes in youth. There is one particular family of kids- six to be exact, whose lives have seriously been turned upside down. Their parents struggle to stay married, the mother had brain surgery about a year ago that just really changed her- she just doesn't want to be a mom or a wife and she's walked away from the Lord. So...the kids deal with turmoil each and every day. And even through it all, they are the most uplifting of the whole group- three of which are in our youth group. Their faith is stronger than I see most adults and they pray continuously for their situation. It gives me a lump in my throat to think about these kids. I just love them all like my own. So...tonight- I'm thankful that my Lord is always right there-showing himself to me in little ways. He's so good.