Speaking in Chapel

Last wednesday I spoke in our high school chapel. You can listen to it here.
I haven't been able to make myself listen to it yet.

I spoke on 'What do you do when God disappoints you?'
the topic was of my own choosing and I (yes, I can blame no one else) asked to speak on it.


I was very worried going in because the struggle I was going to talk about was evident and clear in my own life. I was also picking it up from my students left and right. But I wasn't sure how to talk about it.  i was worried that I would break down half-way through, or that I would begin ranting at God or that I would finish in a place of darkness. Even worse, I was worried I would finish with a fake happy ending and lose all my students in one moment of overdone churchiness.

I was so nervous, excited and nervous, I had a hard time reviewing my notes.

The talk went well. The moment I introduced the subject I saw students sit up and pay attention. Since I'd counted on half of them sleeping through chapel, I was almost thrown off course by their stares.

I don't quite know how to explain the moment, but it was special. I had not intended to share personal stories, but it felt appropriate to be honest with them about where I stood on the subject.

After chapel some students come up and hugged me - without saying much else, they just thanked me for the message. Throughout the day, students continued to trickle through my door to say how much it meant. One was trying not to cry, another was shaking and so on.

I felt nervous and scared but also profoundly grateful to have made a connection with these kids.

The new openess that these kids have shown in the wake of the talk is clear evidence that God approved, and God used.

That's no small thing, and I'm still processing it.

thank you for your prayers, they were answered in a big way.

Please pray for:

-8th grader who has been trying to see me since wednesday to talk about chapel.
-12th grader 1 who is struggling with trusting me enough to share
- 12th grader 2 who is making it day by day.
- 11th grader who is processing a difficult past, and is scared of dealing with the memories
- staff as we deal with these and more.