Blessed and Encouraged

Passion seems to be a topic that is talked about OFTEN around me and my sphere of people in my life. I work with a guy who is the definition of passion to me. In all he does, he puts his heart into it. I'm always impressed by him and constantly learning from him...maybe I should tell him that. But a couple weeks ago, I met with another junior high pastor and we were just talking about passion. I asked her to pray for me in that area. It's weird, passion seems to have it highs and lows with me. If you know me, I'm a very moody person - wish I could rewire that in my brain. But she asked me what ignites my passion and I told her anytime I'm with the middle school kids, it's there, I leave and just have this energy and passion for what I do. Tonight really ignited some passion for me - which is something I've been praying for and I know some of you have been praying for me in that area, which I am so appreciative of! So thank you. But let me tell you a little about tonight that was pretty cool to me - there were lots of things, but this sticks out.
We have this boy who is handicapped (I think he has severe autism?) The story I got was that he has been to many youth ministries and has never felt accepted and didn't like it. I guess the Bridge was their last hope. Well, he came out a couple months ago and I have these 2 guys leaders that are just AWESOME with these kids (Brady and Landon) and they just clicked with him and made him feel a part of it. I talked with the boy's dad one time and he told me how much he loves it there and loves those guys. Every week he has a behavioral specialist with him and they let me in on stuff about him. They say how he loves to play knock out, but he never gets involved. He likes to go to the corner and just hang by himself, he's pretty tough to talk to. Tonight, he got out of the car and came running down to the court and was talking to me (HUGE!), then he got right into the games without me having to ask him to play (HUGE!), then we go inside and I ask the kids questions that will lead into my message - he put his hand up. His behavioral specialist mouthed the words to me "OH MY GOSH" - he shared something. She told me that is NOT something people with his disability will do. That is not him at all, but something is happening in him. She was almost crying about it because it was that big of a deal.
That reignited some passion for me. To watch a kid come out and totally come out of his shell and be so comfortable - it was awesome! All of the middle school kids love him and are buddies with him.
I've just been so impressed by these middle schoolers. They are so eager to learn, every week on sundays they share what they are reading in their Bibles and how they are applying it to their lives. I watch as kids help each other as they're going through hard times. These kids are seeing what being a church family is all about. They're getting it at such an early age and I get to be a part of that and I feel so privileged to be where I am.
So thank you to all of you that pour into me, encourage me and pray for me. I want you to know it does not go unnoticed and I appreciate it so much. God is good and He is doing some BIG things in the youth ministry at the Bridge.