Two things on my mind this week:

On Sunday, a "kid" from my youth group (who is now, what, 29ish?) got married, and several of the "kids" - all adults now, and some with youth groups of their own - were there. It was so fun to be there, to see her sweet wedding and to talk to people I haven't seen in several years. I miss the innocence of that time. I knew nothing - not one single thing - about strategies for growing a group, or different approaches to discipleship, or youth ministry in general. I was completely naive to the business of ministry. I just loved them, and I loved sharing my faith with them. I was sure of myself and my God, I believed in what I was doing, and it never occurred to me to lead a group any other way. God was extraordinarily faithful to us during that time. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Whenever I pray for the next season of our life, a phrase from an old Caedmon's Call song comes to mind: "Show me a place where hope is young, and a people who are not afraid to love." This is a great description of my experience as a college student in youth ministry, and I hope it is what is awaiting us. I don't think that time can be replicated. And I'm not convinced that kind of innocence can be reclaimed, but I am asking God for it anyway.

Also, I just spent a few days in Nashville with Emmy and Laurie. Such a relaxing, enjoyable few days. And let me just say this: if I ever find myself in a post-apocalyptic small town, with little posses forming and fighting to establish new order and scrape by for survival, I'm joining whatever side Laurie is on. She has MAD survival skills; she absolutely will take down whoever is hoarding the last of the canned goods, and figure out how to make the most of the remaining antibiotics. Also, I'm pretty sure we could be holed up together for weeks, and after winning the stand-off and going back to our respective camps, I would still think of one more thing I meant to say and call her on the way home. Assuming cell phones work in post-apocalyptic small towns. Which they won't, but still. I'm sticking with Laurie.

Happy Thursday, friends.