I’m not going to lie – organized sports intimidate me. Perhaps that is why I find myself drawn to individual athletic events – like running and seeing how many German pastries I can fit into my mouth. I can’t say how I got to be the long distance track coach for Hohenfels High School – except to say that I walked into the school gym one day and walked out an un-volunteered volunteer.
Last week during warm-ups I was definitely feeling dazed and tired after having just returned from our High School service project to Czech. Funny that God chose this moment to have Vanessa approach me. Vanessa and I have had a friendly acquaintance-type relationship since the beginning of the school year. I know that she comes from a less-than-ideal home life despite the exuberant façade she puts up and I know that more than anything she wants to be affirmed as beautiful.
Vanessa begins by telling me that she doesn’t know what’s wrong – her grades are fine, things at home are better than normal, and “a buttload of guys like me.” She tries to explain that she’s lost her pep and can’t figure out why. I ask her if she feels like something is missing. Vanessa thinks about it and slowly concedes, “Yeah…I guess so.” At this point we are walking up to the track field and tons of kids are around- they are yelling and it is rowdy; and there is so much I want to say.
“Well…” I begin, “I can tell you this: that you have never been loved more today by anybody than you are by God. And that love is what makes it all worth it – it’s what gives us purpose.” Meager words! How I long to tell her that the King is enthralled by her beauty, that if God stopped thinking about her He would cease to exist, that she is loved completely and wholly – as is. No strings attached.
“Yeahhh,” she replies, in a way that tries to sound excited but fails to convince me. The other runners are beginning to assemble and our talk has come to a close, but the memory of it lingers with me throughout practice. As I reflect on our conversation, I realize just how much I love opportunities like this. To think that I get to spill out of my own love relationship with the King by speaking words of truth when the enemy’s voice is so dominant- is a tremendous privilege. Please pray for Vanessa when you read this. Ask that she would know the deepest satisfaction that comes from walking with Jesus.
In other news, I am getting a roommate in the form of a single white Serbian otherwise known as Jessica Vukovich. She is a direct answer to prayer! She’ll be living with me for the month of May and will be an extra set of hands to serve and heart to love on students. I highly recommend the rest of you take after her example and come visit/help; or at the very least, fill me in on your lives because I miss you.
p.s. It’s official – I’ve decided to join Young Life staff for the next 2 years. Please be praying for direction as I am un-sure if I will remain in Hohenfels or venture to other enticing European countires!
Last week during warm-ups I was definitely feeling dazed and tired after having just returned from our High School service project to Czech. Funny that God chose this moment to have Vanessa approach me. Vanessa and I have had a friendly acquaintance-type relationship since the beginning of the school year. I know that she comes from a less-than-ideal home life despite the exuberant façade she puts up and I know that more than anything she wants to be affirmed as beautiful.
Vanessa begins by telling me that she doesn’t know what’s wrong – her grades are fine, things at home are better than normal, and “a buttload of guys like me.” She tries to explain that she’s lost her pep and can’t figure out why. I ask her if she feels like something is missing. Vanessa thinks about it and slowly concedes, “Yeah…I guess so.” At this point we are walking up to the track field and tons of kids are around- they are yelling and it is rowdy; and there is so much I want to say.
“Well…” I begin, “I can tell you this: that you have never been loved more today by anybody than you are by God. And that love is what makes it all worth it – it’s what gives us purpose.” Meager words! How I long to tell her that the King is enthralled by her beauty, that if God stopped thinking about her He would cease to exist, that she is loved completely and wholly – as is. No strings attached.
“Yeahhh,” she replies, in a way that tries to sound excited but fails to convince me. The other runners are beginning to assemble and our talk has come to a close, but the memory of it lingers with me throughout practice. As I reflect on our conversation, I realize just how much I love opportunities like this. To think that I get to spill out of my own love relationship with the King by speaking words of truth when the enemy’s voice is so dominant- is a tremendous privilege. Please pray for Vanessa when you read this. Ask that she would know the deepest satisfaction that comes from walking with Jesus.
In other news, I am getting a roommate in the form of a single white Serbian otherwise known as Jessica Vukovich. She is a direct answer to prayer! She’ll be living with me for the month of May and will be an extra set of hands to serve and heart to love on students. I highly recommend the rest of you take after her example and come visit/help; or at the very least, fill me in on your lives because I miss you.
p.s. It’s official – I’ve decided to join Young Life staff for the next 2 years. Please be praying for direction as I am un-sure if I will remain in Hohenfels or venture to other enticing European countires!
0 comments:
Post a Comment