Break Through

I had a break through this weekend and it was perfect.

This last Thursday I drove up the juniors and seniors to Pine Springs Ranch for Bible Camp. I was very reluctant to go at first but little did I know what God had planned for me there.
The first day we just went to one meeting and then had a staff meeting after. There the head pastor told us how our ministry this weekend would be our presence with the kids. By them seeing us at the meetings, it would show them that we care and wanted it to be a great experience. I didn't think twice about it, because of course I was going to be where the kids are, it's my favorite place. What happened on Friday night I never expected.

Friday night rolled around and after a long day of team building activities we had our evening meeting. I was standing among the kids, singing songs, when I noticed one of my students walk by and I just reached out and touched her. When I touched her she turned and hugged my legs (I was standing on a chair). She just stood there for a couple seconds before I asked, "Are you okay, do you need to talk?". She just shook her head 'yes' and off we went.
We went up the stairs to the top floor and sat on the top step. There she started telling me how frustrated she was getting because she was a student leader and wanted this weekend to be perfect and so uplifting for her family group, but there were students there that didn't want to be there. And how she really felt the devil was telling her she wasn't good enough to be a leader, and she was struggling with her boyfriend who didn't have a relationship with God. I told her everything I could, but mostly just listened, because I don't always know what to say. She poured her heart out to me and then I walked her back to her room and we sat down on her bed and I asked her if I could pray for her. It was apparently just what she wanted and I wrapped her in my arms and hugged her the whole time I prayed for her. As I was praying I found a tear running down my face. This was my first big, personal, spiritual experience with a student.

We didn't necessarily come to a conclusion to all her problems, but it was what both of needed at that moment. Often I have felt that I haven't had much of an impact on students in a spiritual sense. I give chapels every month and help out with campus ministries every time I get the chance, but it's hard to see the outcome of those things. This was a real experience and I have been praying that I would have one of those with a student this year. I felt like I could pack my bags and go home after that, although I never would, because I know God is going to use me even more here. The feeling that I got from sharing my experience with God and giving it to someone else is something that can never be replaced and that is what I want to do the rest of my life.

God is so good and continues to surprise me all the time. This year has had it's bumps in the road, but nothing can be so bad that this moment is covered. We have a God that loves us so much and wants us to succeed and I can't wait for that chance to share it with another student.