life on the beach

i just got back from a week at the beach with 51 high school kids. we supervised, gave advice, led discussions, made up prayers, made up songs, played in the ocean, and strengthened relationships. i had so much fun, i never wanted to come home. i've worked with most of these kids for the past two years and i love them as much as i love my family. they're not always my favorites, but like family you love them anyway. the youth group was important to me as a high school kid, it gave me a community that offered unwaivering support, encouragement and love. and now as a leader i get to provide that community to the kids i work with. when i tell people i spent my vacation with a bunch of teenagers they usually say some variation of 'better you than me' and i just laugh and say 'it's really not that bad. they're good kids and we have fun'. and then the other person says 'i'll take your word for it' and chuckles. no really, i've had that conversation at least 30 times in the past two years. so why do i do it. why do i spend what precious little free time i get from my job hanging out with teenagers? at the end of the week on the beach we sit in our small groups and go around and tell each other why we love each other. and the kids and adults do it. no matter how uncomfortable you are, you still love it.we laugh, we cry, we take breaks to stand in the ocean and this year we ate cookies. you get through it, and when it's over you feel so much more connected to those kids sitting around you. one of my favorite kids, who i've had a few times in small group over the past 2 years was in my group this year. and he told me i was an 'awesome leader' and that i had helped him learn things about himself that he wouldn't have otherwise learned. that is why i spend my vacation with teenagers. because under their facade of tough guy jock-ness they're softies, and you get to see that vulnerability and encourage them to go places they wouldn't normally go. i've often said that you don't learn anything when you're comfortable. these kids push themselves into uncomfortable situations because they know they're in a safe, loving community. there is no better place to screw up than our youth group. because we will love you before, during, and after you've screwed up. and you will learn things you never knew before.