There are students who are struggling, addicted, confused and
alone, but when this anonymous card reached my desk, the stark
reality hit again the words on the card were, I hate my life and
God hates me too. I'm forced to be here [at church] and nobody
cares. Oh, the despair this student must have felt! With moistened
eyes, I immediately began to pray for my anonymous writer. That
his/her face would surface so I could compassionately enter into
their dark world. A few weeks and many prayers later, I couldn't
help but notice a dark-haired, gothic-type girl run out of the
youth group. I went after her. Slowly catching up to the mysterious
black-hooded figure, I said, Hey, I noticed you were crying and
then ran out. Can I help? Her worn out face caught my eyes and with
an angered expression said, I hate my life and God hates me too.
I'm forced to be here. I hate my life! Bingo. I've just met my
anonymous writer. God sure is good What do you say in a moment of
one's rage, hurt and anger? For all I knew, she hated me too. After
all, as a minister, I am part the church she was forced to attend.
I said a silent prayer and then words emerged. I am so sorry for
the hurt you feel. How about I take you for a coffee right now? She
looked at me as if to say, Wait a minute, you're not gonna force me
to stay here? You are not going to yell at me for running out of
youth group? I said, Listen, if you're forced to be here, let's go
get coffee and talk about it. In shock, she agreed to go. Over a
coffee, I discovered a great deal about Karen, my new 15-year old
God-send. She questioned who God was, struggled socially and at
times, had a difficult family life. Toward the end of our
conversation, I challenged her to join an 8-step small group for
students that we call, Life Hurts God Heals. Much to my surprise,
she agreed! It's been over 10-weeks since I've met Karen and now,
her countenance has dramatically changed! Since working the 8-steps
in Life Hurts God Heals and connecting with other struggling
like-minded peers, she now has hope, dreams and a growing
understanding of God. This story contains valuable lessons and
encouraging words we youth workers need to apply as we interface
with the delicate live of hurting students I'd like to share what
I've learned.
3 Valuable Lessons when you're face-to-face with a
HURTING student: 1. Sometimes the best experience of church is away
from the church itself; just you as a youth worker, alongside a
hurting student, over a cup of java. 2. Sometimes the greatest
prayer is a silent one when you haven't a clue what to say next.
Trusting that God will show up. 3. Students need tangible,
practical and often, ongoing care. Offering Life Hurts-God Heals
gives hurting students life-long tools to help them through their
pain. 6 words every HURTING student needs to hear: 1. I believe in
you 2. I am here for you 3. You are going to get through this 4.
You can make good choices 5. You are talented, gifted, rare 6. You
matter
