Can you hear me now...good.

This summer proved to be an amazing time for fostering community within our high school ministry. It was amazing to go on Facebook and see how much our students continue to hang out with each other, even with less REALife events to keep them connected. I am seeing a beautiful sense of Godly friendship and encouragement happening with our students...I hope you are seeing the same.

I wanted to let you in on the secret to why I feel our students are connecting so much. It all has to do with S'CAMP this summer. Every Thursday night at camp I give the students time to express themselves. I give them a chance to stand up in front of their peers and tell them what God has showed them throughout the week. Every year this turns into such an amazing time of encouragement, but this year was off the hook. Students started sharing about their deep hurts, their biggest worries, their difficult situations, and their desire and need for God. It was truly a special time. But what made it all that much more amazing was that the students listening to the stories being told responded with love and grace. At the end of the time of sharing their stories a large majority of the students said that they felt like they were at this camp with family...that's how connected they felt to each other.

Why am I telling you this? I learned a valuable life lesson by witnessing this experience. Students want to be heard. Your son or daughter wants to be heard, and they want to be heard by someone who will listen and respond with love, grace, and encouragement. High School students are going through a lot. We may think "well, not my son or daughter...they have it all together." That might be the case but here are two things you need to think about. (1) Students are good at hiding A LOT of things from their parents. How much did you hide from your parents when you were their age? (2) Your son or daughter may be doing great, but they have friends who are struggling, and if their friends are struggling, your child will be hurting with them (they are super connected).

One last thing before I go...
Can you think about this question for me:

Is there any reason why your son or daughter would not want to talk to you about what is going on in their life?

This is a big question. Students are afraid of what their parents might think about them after they tell you what's going on. They're afraid of what you might do to them. They're afraid that you won't listen or won't understand. They're afraid...but they need you. They need to be heard, and, in my opinion, you are the best person for the job.

This takes time...it takes effort. If your son or daughter does not already talk to you about their life (serious issues...not just sports), then you will need to build that trust and reassure them again and again that you are a safe place for them to go.

You can do it. I believe in you, and I am praying for you.