At our See You At The Pole event, I listened in on some of the prayers of some of the kids in attendance. Perhaps this was a bit like eavesdropping, but I felt more compelled to sit and listen rather than pray.

And what I heard made me realize some incredibly simple things:

1. Students like to pray. I heard some of the students talk about doing prayer at the pole on a regular basis. Ours was very simple, just praying out loud in a group together, sometimes one at a time and sometimes all at once, just us and God, not trying to impress anyone else. I wonder how I can equip students to continue to do this on their own, without adult leadership, because I think these older students are ready for it.
2. Students care about their friends. I know this sounds silly, like, of course they do, but to hear some of the kids pray fervently for their friends was a great experience. They see first hand the pain their friends go through, doing life with them much more than I do. One kid I saw had his hands clenched together up near his forehead and he was praying for courage to do the right thing in the face of temptation and to be a light to his friends.
3. Students can be leaders. Another “Duh!” moment for me, but I am guilty of underestimating the ability of students. They can seem fickle, irresponsible, and uncommitted, but they are if nothing else passionate. I forget that parents need to let go of infants in order for them to learn to walk. Perhaps I have been spoon-feeding my kids and keeping my expectations low. For whatever reason, I have not expected much from them.

Sometimes God uses our own kids to speak truth into our lives. “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise” (Ps. 8:2a, NIV).

What About You?

When has a student or group of students surpised you?