Steubenville ‘On the Bayou’ is this weekend in Thibedeaux, Louisiana and I am so ready! If you are not familiar with Steubenville Youth Conferences imagine anywhere from 1500 – 5000 (at the largest conference) teenagers gathered together in one meeting space. It depends on the location but we could be in one giant tent or in an arena. The energy in the beginning is like a low rumbling…it tends to come from the teens that are returning their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th time. The rest of the group are sitting in their seats with attitudes because they want to appear too ‘cool’ to be curious or they have never witnessed so many teens come together to praise and worship God that they are too stunned to speak. Either way, by the time we end in adoration on Friday evening the entire place is bursting the seams in energy.
These conferences have been going on for over 30 years and they reach an average of 30,000+ teens each summer delivering His message of hope, worth and grace. I am still in awe that God has led me to be a part of this great endeavor and as long as He calls me to it I am honored to oblige. The greatest gift in doing these conferences and going anywhere to speak on His behalf is that I tend to receive even more than I put forth.
I am ready to come to a place of no outside distractions and be able to surrender in prayer both internally, through the worship of song and by giving of myself through the talks. This is where I am today, feeling a charge just from the anticipation of what I get to do this weekend. I am enjoying this time with the kids, the great gift I have to be here with them and allow them to just ‘kids’. Although, I will admit that I am a bit unnerved not having a set ‘schedule’ during the week. That throws me off being that I’m so ‘type A’…but I’ll survive.
And then I think of Terri…and how her whole life has been thrown off kilter with her precious son lying in that bed and an unknown diagnosis of his true brain condition. I hug my boys tight knowing they are not mine forever. I suppose each day should be anticipated the way in which I anticipate this weekend. Forget the schedule! (well, maybe not literally but in essence 🙂 ) I’m going to take hold of each day and do my best to remember to do this and not allow this all to subside as life gets to be too ‘normal’ again.
Blessings
Shannon