Sometimes it can be hard for me to keep work away from my free time. At times, I’m still getting used to being paid to do youth ministry. I’ve been involved in some form or another in youth ministry since I was a youth. When I catch up with old friends telling them about my great new (its been 5 months, that’s still new right?) job, I cant believe how God has provided. I hung out with high schoolers on Good Friday like I mentioned before, I didn’t even think to write it down as part of my hours because I just like being around those girls. Getting to know them outside of a church environment. I do keep youth blogs that I read my computer at work so I am not tempted to “work off the clock”. I’ve been catching up today (my Monday at the church) on the youth blogs and a lot are talking about laying low after a buys Easter weekend. Growing up in youth ministry and then working in it for so many years, I’m glad to have always been apart of churches that don’t make Easter another busy time. The youth programs usually shut down and encourage them to join their families for Easter Sunday. I think that’s good in the busy church culture I see these kids in. If you think you are busy as full time working adult, met one of my high schoolers. I do not know how they keep it all straight. Especially the juniors and seniors who have a job along with trying to find a college to go to. On top of sports, church activities, etc etc…the list goes on. I’ve been listening to seminars from National Youth Workers Convention and its amazing how there’s always something new to hear about youth ministry. Its always changing and how so many of the same things happen when I was in high school, but at the very same time, things are so different. I think that its harder for todays kids these days than ever before. Not that its an excuse for anything, but it challenges me as a youth worker to know these students. Know their story and how to help them know the story of God. A lot of times I don’t feel I’m should be that person in these kid’s lives, that they teach me things way more than I ever can teach them. What I do know though that God provided this role in His big story of youth ministry for me. While the kids are gone at the beach this week on Spring Break I will miss them. I will spend this week planning a month full of Battle of the Sexes themed ideas for them when they return and I will love every minute of it. The lows of youth ministry are very low, but they don’t out weigh the highs.