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    please help ... my son may go to jail
megan hutchinson
These words fell from the lips of Ivan’s panic stricken mother, desperate for someone to pull her and her family out of their endless pit. With a heavy heart and deep sigh, I said that I would do what I can and promised to pray.
The following Sunday, Ivan showed up at Life Hurts – God Heals™ with a surprisingly open heart, having previously tried Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. He stayed for the whole time, wanting to chat with me afterwards. He said, “Megan, I’ve done some bad stuff, but I swear I’m not bad. Now I could go to jail and I’m scared to death.” After chatting for while, I realize what he said was true – he wasn’t bad. But like many hurting kids, he made a dumb decision which could cost him some serious consequences.
It’s moments like these that I am reminded of an important theological truth: I am not a miracle worker or a healer (duh!). God is. He is the One and True Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals (Ex 15:22-26). It is part of who he was, is and will forever be. He is in the business of healing, among other things! My role is to love, care and be present in the life of the one hurting. To not abandon those in the midst of their tremendous hurt and pain, which I am sorry to say, I’ve been guilty of before. Remembering this helped me minister to this hurting family as they worked through some pretty big stuff.
It’s been six months since my first meeting with Ivan and much has transpired in which his mom recently emailed me with an update: Ivan has been clean and sober. Praise God. He was recently granted only 12 months jail time when it was originally an 8 year sentence. Praise God. And most importantly, he seeks Christ daily and longs to honor him in every area of his life. Praise God.
Here’s what I know. Every youth group has a potential Ivan. That is, one who is on the brink of making decisions which could cost him a lifetime of consequences and memories. May you and I be people who welcome the hurting to our youth groups – no matter what. May we genuinely provide a safe place for them – no matter what. May we offer authentic hope by being authentic to them – no matter what. The 8-steps in Life Hurts God Heals is something Ivan takes with him - no matter what. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if our church didn’t have a place for him or his mom to talk openly without judgment or condemnation. I am thankful for the Ivan’s in our youth groups. And the Ivan’s are thankful to you…
Click here to download Ivan's Story
...
http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/community-articles-hurt.html
megan hutchinson
These words fell from the lips of Ivan’s panic stricken mother, desperate for someone to pull her and her family out of their endless pit. With a heavy heart and deep sigh, I said that I would do what I can and promised to pray.
The following Sunday, Ivan showed up at Life Hurts – God Heals™ with a surprisingly open heart, having previously tried Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. He stayed for the whole time, wanting to chat with me afterwards. He said, “Megan, I’ve done some bad stuff, but I swear I’m not bad. Now I could go to jail and I’m scared to death.” After chatting for while, I realize what he said was true – he wasn’t bad. But like many hurting kids, he made a dumb decision which could cost him some serious consequences.
It’s moments like these that I am reminded of an important theological truth: I am not a miracle worker or a healer (duh!). God is. He is the One and True Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals (Ex 15:22-26). It is part of who he was, is and will forever be. He is in the business of healing, among other things! My role is to love, care and be present in the life of the one hurting. To not abandon those in the midst of their tremendous hurt and pain, which I am sorry to say, I’ve been guilty of before. Remembering this helped me minister to this hurting family as they worked through some pretty big stuff.
It’s been six months since my first meeting with Ivan and much has transpired in which his mom recently emailed me with an update: Ivan has been clean and sober. Praise God. He was recently granted only 12 months jail time when it was originally an 8 year sentence. Praise God. And most importantly, he seeks Christ daily and longs to honor him in every area of his life. Praise God.
Here’s what I know. Every youth group has a potential Ivan. That is, one who is on the brink of making decisions which could cost him a lifetime of consequences and memories. May you and I be people who welcome the hurting to our youth groups – no matter what. May we genuinely provide a safe place for them – no matter what. May we offer authentic hope by being authentic to them – no matter what. The 8-steps in Life Hurts God Heals is something Ivan takes with him - no matter what. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if our church didn’t have a place for him or his mom to talk openly without judgment or condemnation. I am thankful for the Ivan’s in our youth groups. And the Ivan’s are thankful to you…
Click here to download Ivan's Story
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