Encouragement

This past week at the ranch has been a real encouragement to my heart. I have been doing a lot of work, and have been faced with selfishness on my part which has been discouraging. I was praying Monday before we started work on Tuesday and the Lord did so many things to tell me, "I know, I see, I care, stay the course..." The interns went on a trip to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. While we were there we went to the biggest Barnes and Noble I've ever seen...I found a book that I have been wanting to read, 'Surprised by Joy', C.S.Lewis. I was so thankful for this read because I realized how much I need to count my relationship to God as precious and a the biggest treasure. I want to be more thankful for my salvation...living w/o God is a horrible thing. C.S.Lewis's life of searching for joy ended when He found Christ, which wasn't about joy at all but a relationship. It's interesting when we find that joy isn't the answer either, but knowing Christ...what a surprise!

This weekend I was the worker host and we were able to have some good times together...especially talking about God. These high-schoolers really have a lot against them spiritually and it's terribly sad. 90% of them walk alone in their relationship with God...which makes it way harder. We talked a lot about the hindrances of getting into the Word...everyone wants to but there are many obstacles. From being too busy, not understanding the Word, getting so board with church you wonder why you should read the Bible, not being challenged to think spiritually, and desiring other things. I'm asking God to show me how to encourage these awesome students in their walks with God.
What a miracle it is to know God and walk with Him every day!