With a heavy heart

This morning I received a heartbreaking email. I questioned sharing this but I do believe in the power of pray so I will share a bit and plead with you to pray as well. I got to work this morning after a hard night and a weird morning. When I went to bed last night my heart was so burdened. Burdened with my own stuff but an unexplainable heaviness as well. Guess God was preparing me...

The email was from a friend whose son was in a small group of kids I lead a few years back. At the time I was in college and they were in high school. She and I became friends later on through a mutual friend.

I loved these kids. No, I love these kids! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about them. Today, the pain of being in youth ministry is real. My friend emailed to inform me that she and her husband admitted their son into rehab. For privacy means we will call him "J". From the first word of the email the tears just wouldn't stop coming.

You see I love "J". He is such an amazing kid - he always has been. And he has always had an edge. But then again that's probably why I was drawn to him in the first place - edges like other edges. I have always been able to relate to "J".

Relating can be painful. Investing in lives can be painful too. I understood "J" and tried to invest in his life but he pushed away. We were friends but at a distance. I prayed for "J" often and still do. Now this precious, funny, intelligent, sincere, loving young one is facing big things. Big consequences for choices he has made.

I ask you to pray. Pray for "J". Pray for his wonderful family. Pray for God's grace, mercy and divine intervention. Pray "J" will come back to the Lord. Pray as the Spirit leads you. Please pray like "J" life depends on it - 'cus it does.

Thank you!
~Nicole


My prayer for "J" taken from Psalm 24:3-8
"J" will ascend the hill of the Lord.
And "J" shall stand in his holy place.
"J" will have clean hands and a pure heart,
"J" will not lift up his soul to what is false
and will not swear deceitfully.
"J" will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from God of his salvation.
"J" will seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your head, O "J"
And be lifted up, O "J"
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!