Yesterday I talked to a whole bunch of our graduated seniors who are all leaving for college this week. This is a group of students that we had over to our home ever other Sunday Night this whole last year. I loved that time with them. It was very non-agenda driven. We had great food and talked about their college applications, senior year, choices and ultimately excitement after they had chosen a school. I told them two things consistently last year. 1. The food would always be great and 2. We loved them if they come or if they don’t. Many of them did show up very consistently and I grew to really love that class.
Now they are leaving and I’m not really sure how I feel. On one hand I’m so stoked for them and I can’t wait till they post pictures of everything on Facebook so we can see their dorms and friends. On the other hand I’m scared for them because I really want them to keep up the amazing faith they have in college and am praying for them to get connected very quickly to a Christian community. But on my third hand (yea wasn’t sure how to add this point in) I’m sad because I will miss that class. I’ll miss our hanging out on my deck talking about life. I’ll miss them trying authentic fish tacos in my kitchen for the first time. I’ll miss talks about football in the Bell Center on Sunday mornings. I’ll miss the Choir kids who really love each other and allowed us to be a part of their community. I’ll miss our amazing babysitters and the long talks we often had after we got home from our dates.
Mostly I’ll miss seeing their faces around church.
I know all of us in the youth ministry world deal with this and I’m not alone. Join me in praying for these students.
I’m in the same boat. This year by far was the most committed and close group I’m sending off. It’s bittersweet, but God will do amazing things in them and through them!