I’m heading out of town for four days of leading and hosting retreats for my Young Life job.
These are annual retreats and often the highlights of my year as a trainer. I get to spend quality and “quantity” time with my folks, learn from the conversations and other speakers, and I really do enjoy all the parts of hosting- planning meals, games, and lots of teaching.
This year, they just happen to be right on top of each other: Thursday-Friday and then Saturday-Sunday.
Alas, my head, stress capacity, “desk”, and refrigerator are full! 
Here’s a bit of what I’ll say, which is teaching me all over as I prepare to teach:
- We cannot replicate what we do not live ourselves.
- Limits are life giving not restrictive.
- We are supposed to break through limits that limit us: FEAR (“What if I fail?”) and FLAWS (“I’ve never been good at that so I won’t try now.” or “I’m always clumsy so they shouldn’t ask me.”)
- Teenagers are still under construction and need protection, advocacy, wisdom, friendship, love and prayers.
- Our identity is not our circumstances, it is knowing that we are image-bearing beloved children of God who are called to work alongside Jesus in Kingdom purposes with Spirit power.
Here’s to hoping the Royals wrap it up today before my retreats!
