Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. –Proverbs 12:18

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. –Hebrews 4:12

There were days not too long ago where all I desired to be was a friend to youth kids. I fed my own insecurities with being popular and well-liked by all the kids. I wanted to be hip, cool, and the person every teenage girl came to with everything.

I am not that youth leader now. I hope I am still approachable. I hope in all things, that teenagers see love in me above all else. But not every girl wants to come to me anymore, and I have found great joy in that, 1.) because we have some new fabulous female leaders who are stepping up and taking care of kids, and 2.) because quite simply I want to be known by speaking God’s word and God’s truth above all else, not merely my opinion.

This new territory hurts, not just for them, but for me as well. My heart seems to be in a perpetual state of breaking (especially lately), and I wonder if it will always be this way. Youth ministry has been the most amazing, but most painful experience of my life. It hurts to hurt for kids. There’s been many a sleepless night, many a night crying over their pains, their decisions, their lives, wondering and waiting how God is going to show up in their circumstances (tonight being one of those nights).

But God’s truth and His love are the only thing I have to offer worth anything, and they go hand in hand. I can’t love someone with the love of God if I don’t speak His truth, the truth that hurts, and the truth that heals above all else.