Young Church

My sweet Lord,

Thank you for this day together with the young church! The Kalamazoo Diocesan Youth Rally was fantastic!  I was immersed in teens and their chaperones all day, and their energy was wonderful and refreshing. It renews my faith in what those who haven't lived as long as some of us can do when they pray together and play together.

SO many people are ready to call them "the future of the church", but aren't they members of your body right now?  Aren't there many MANY saints that never made it to adulthood, and were very holy and pious even in their young childhood?  These kids are very much like that.  They love you and truly enjoy spending time with you.

And then there are the others.

You know the ones I'm talking about.  Some are hurting and lost, broken and not ready to heal. Some are still living the hardest part of their journey.  This part that will make them cry when they remember back. I pray that they get a chance to look back and say, " that was the day it all changed for me." Or "That was the lowest point of my life, and then I met Jesus."

Lord, please watch over those children and young adults who are being tested and tried, and are fighting to survive the horrors of their own lives.  Fill them with your grace and love, or at least the hope to hang on until it's time for them to turn to you.  Help them find you before something more horrible happens.  Help them to feel how much you love them.

Help them to find hope in hearing the stories of others who have made it through the hard times.

Love,

Me