Sacrifice

Happy Lent, everyone. I pray that you are all trying to grow closer to God during this important time. As for me, I have spent the week struggling through the mindless droning of Confirmation retreat while trying to stay afloat through a nasty chestcold. In a few hours, we will be leading another retreat, which will last through the entire weekend and, naturally, cause me to expend a lot of energy. Energy I don't have, might I add. I am praying for strength.

I didn't want to be on this retreat. I was told about a month ago that because of the expected small turnout, I could possibly have the weekend off. So, I told my boss from summer camp that I could volunteer at their own retreat, since many of my good friends will be there. I then found out two days ago that I was actually needed on this retreat that ended up having like triple the amount of registrants. I was disapponted. I understand that it's my job and that my ministry here comes before anything else...which is why I will not complain this weekend (I hope). But I just wanted to do ministry with a different group of people, just to refresh my own soul and to support another very important organization in my life. But, God calls us to different things for a reason. I am needed on this weekend so that I can use my own gifts and talents to lead a few prayer services. And what a gift that is: to help teenagers grow closer to God in a prayerful setting. I am blessed to be able to do this as my full-time job, and I should be grateful for it.

As for the camp retreat, they will have many, many gifted people to make it a success, and my only sadness is that I cannot witness it myself. This job is calling me to sacrifice this year. I sacrificed a normal post-grad year and because of that, I was not able to have a reunion with my college friends when I wanted to, I was unable to keep up a healthy relationship with the guy I was dating, and I have been constantly challenged all year to compromise, apologize, give credit to others, and to be humbled by the reality of it all. I am learning a lot about what it really means to dedicate a life to God, and it's not easy.

But it's worth it.

Peace to you all this day.

Liz