Here we go again with another “Five Minute Friday” post! To learn more about “Five Minute Friday” (FMF), check out the linked 
image here. Basically, each week there’s a word given for you to write about. You start writing, no back-tracking, editing, etc. At the end of 5 minutes, you stop. Then you post it, and share in the community of words that were birthed during these 24-ish hours. It’s cool stuff.
So here’s this week’s response to the word: “ again ”
I’m pausing for a moment at the top of a twisty slide. I’m not sure what will happen on the way down, but I know when I get to the bottom, I’ll stand up and scream in triumph. Then I’ll go kiss my wife (and our lips will “shock” from the static build up on the way down), and we’ll laugh as we grab our kids and go home from the playground. Except it’s not a playground, it’s a weekend senior high winter retreat known to those who attend as “Frostbite”.
It’s my 6th? 7th? year of directing, planning, facilitating, etc….this retreat in the dead of winter. Over 100 teens and their leaders attend, and I never know what to expect. The bands change. The speaker changes. The teens change. And yet, it’s happening “again”. And…..it never gets old.
At some point this weekend, more than one teenager will find the strength they need to decide to follow Christ in a renewed way for the remainder of the school year. Someone will decide, perhaps for the first time, to accept what God has accomplished in Christ. Someone will hear the Word of God in a way that brings life and freedom like never before. Someone will be freed from the chains of sin and hopelessness or anxiety they’d been bound by in their world. Or maybe, someone will think to themselves….”hmm….it’s not so hokey after all”, and they’ll come to camp this summer where they’ll meet Jesus for the first time.
There are moments that I’m dead tired. Moments where I remind myself, that no matter what – Sunday afternoon will come. The bottom of this crazy twisty slide ride. But I’m not there yet……here we go, again…..:)
Sidenote: Whisper a quick prayer for us this weekend…the Kingdom is on the move! Thanks!!!
words from wick 
I’ll be praying for this weekend. You too are doing things with lasting significance.
Thanks for your prayers Nataline!!
And I am sure you will be thanked again and again in heaven someday for your dedication to be servant-hearted to these kids! There will be rejoicing! 🙂
I do love some good rejoicing…:) Thanks for reading, Lonistel!
Bone tired falling into bed but with a smile on your face. That we would all be worn out in this way. Praying for a fabulous time filled with God’s providence and peace.
Every night, for sure. Thanks for stopping by!! 🙂
Hi Wick
What an incredible tiring joy it must be to work with such precious souls!! South Africa is in the midst of a heat wave and I would have loved to join you, not just for a bit of relieve from the heat, but to dance with the angels in heaven for everyone that comes to our Pappa!
Much love XX
Mia
..and there WILL be dancin! Thanks Mia 🙂
Such a blessing.
Thanks Denise!! 🙂
God bless you for the work which you are doing! Click here to check out my 5 Minute Friday
Thanks Shanae!! And you also! 🙂
5 minutes well spent today, I’d say 🙂
Definitey….hehe, thanks Sarah!
Thank you, thank you thank you, as the parent of a little fella who has just left us for a youth group trip away for the weekend…thank you for serving the Lord. May you be refreshed and recharged and renewed as you give give give all weekend long.
And thank YOU for the active parenting/discipleship you’re doing. Involved and Jesus-hearted parents are the secret behind any good youth ministry! God bless you fam!