I'm Afraid

I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but I'm afraid of the Lock-In which will take place from 9pm til 7 am tomorrow.

I vowed I'd never do one. I'm not a late night person. I get mean without sleep. I never liked staying up late, even when I was in high school. I was the kid who would come to lock-in and go to sleep at 1:30 am (and was made fun of greatly!). And, I never was much for staying up late even during finals season in college. Ask any of my friends from this period and they will tell you it's true!

But, the All-Nighter is the kids' FAVORITE thing (probably besides duck taping each other) and in the first year in any job, I feel it is your work to follow the ropes of your predecessors just enough so to gain the trust of those you serve. So, here I go . . .

I'm SO thankful, though that I'm not doing it alone. Thanks be to all the adults who decided to give so graciously of their time and sleep, I'll be surrounded by some great people, some wonderful potential leaders of our youth ministry who I'm hoping will connect with our kids. These volunteers will help make the night what it is! And the nightmares (yes, I have had bad dreams the past week about it) probably won't come true. The kids will be well behaved and a great time will be had by all.

But, if you read this before tomorrow night at 9 pm, pray for me. I'm going into scary, uncharted waters with these kids. Everyone and their brother has called me in the past couple of days telling me that they are coming. I'm going to really feel like a pastor of youth tomorrow no matter if I like it or not! God help us all.