ROMANS 8:28
This past year, my youth pastor announced that he and his family would be leaving us. This was right before our heavily anticipated mission trip together. He announced it during the church service one Sunday morning, and it came as a shock to the youth group, which hadn’t suspected a thing. We all were crying. While talking to a friend I realized that she and I both felt confused and deserted in a way. Although he was only going about two hours away from where we lived, he was a major part of our lives, and it was hard to imagine him being gone. He joined us on the mission trip as planned, and those students who went got to spend some cherished quality time with him. He left a week or so after we got back. At first I thought youth group would never be the same. We all missed him so much. Then I realized how selfish we were being. He was going to go help lots more people at his new home. The youth group banded together and grew stronger and closer. We have all been forced to assume some leadership roles, and as the verse says, it has all worked out for good. I know that our youth pastor would be proud of us. He helped us through one stage of our lives when we needed him most, and now he can do that for other students as well.
Erica Freeman, 17, Nebraska Christian High School, Central City, NE
All things work together for good. I wish I could
remember that when I’m really upset about something. God,
help me to do remember it—and believe it.