I went on that trip to Wildwood, NJ again with Youth for Christ. It was the most exhausting and rewarding week I have endured in such a long time. The whole week, I honestly was waiting for it to end, which was strange because I normally love it so much. Something about this week was just continuously dragging me down. And interacting with the kids and keeping an eye on them was super draining. It was weird that I felt this way. I'm normally the person who gains energy from spending time talking to the kids and having fun with them. I'm still not sure why I felt that way during the trip, but coming home has shed more perspective on it.
I realized that it was a humbling experience. I had been asking God to humble me, because I've been feeling a lot of pride in my life without knowing where it was coming from or how to get rid of it, so I gave it to God and trusted that He'd find some way to turn me around. Well, here it was.
I'm not Superwoman. It's funny to think that I thought I was at points in my life, but that's what happened. I usually take pride in the fact that I have seemingly boundless energy at times and don't need much of a night's sleep in order to function properly the next day. God made me realize that I was using that gift to garner respect and admiration from others instead of using it to glorify Him.
So, on this trip, when I'm usually full of energy and willing to do whatever's asked of me, I found myself running away from the kids at any opportunity. I hated it. I felt like I wasn't in control of my usual self and there was no way I could escape it because I had committed to spending this week with these kids. God made me value the gifts that He's given to me, even the ones I wouldn't even count as gifts. Who knew that my ability to function on little to no sleep would and could be used to glorify God? I didn't even realize how valuable this is when working with these kids and just being available to them.
Someone at Basileia said to be careful what you wish for when you're praying and asking God for something, because He WILL answer prayers.
Regardless of my exhaustion, here are some of my favorite pictures from the week, because, heck, I love these kids either way <3
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I realized that it was a humbling experience. I had been asking God to humble me, because I've been feeling a lot of pride in my life without knowing where it was coming from or how to get rid of it, so I gave it to God and trusted that He'd find some way to turn me around. Well, here it was.
I'm not Superwoman. It's funny to think that I thought I was at points in my life, but that's what happened. I usually take pride in the fact that I have seemingly boundless energy at times and don't need much of a night's sleep in order to function properly the next day. God made me realize that I was using that gift to garner respect and admiration from others instead of using it to glorify Him.
So, on this trip, when I'm usually full of energy and willing to do whatever's asked of me, I found myself running away from the kids at any opportunity. I hated it. I felt like I wasn't in control of my usual self and there was no way I could escape it because I had committed to spending this week with these kids. God made me value the gifts that He's given to me, even the ones I wouldn't even count as gifts. Who knew that my ability to function on little to no sleep would and could be used to glorify God? I didn't even realize how valuable this is when working with these kids and just being available to them.
Someone at Basileia said to be careful what you wish for when you're praying and asking God for something, because He WILL answer prayers.
Regardless of my exhaustion, here are some of my favorite pictures from the week, because, heck, I love these kids either way <3
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