Being it my first time counseling for anything, I am so glad it was j-gen that allowed me to lead a group of younger girls for the first time in my life. It was such a humbling and blessing experience for me, especially because one of my six girls (all 9th and 10th grade in highschool) was on crutches due to a knee surgery. I was basically her backpack, her bodyguard, her aide. I never knew sophomore girls in high school were still considered so immature. And I thought I was super mature back when I was a sophomore in high school! Hehe.. Although the retreat was short (a mere four days), I haven't prayed that much and really read the Bible with such intensity in so long since my middle school years. I learned so much through the sermons and messages; I learned how to delight in the Word of God--that the Scripture is God's love letter to us. I poured everything I had--tears, joy and all through praise and prayer- and come home to see that God had answered my prayers! In the past, I've either been too lazy to pray because "God knows my heart, He knows what I need and want, so why do I have to say them out loud..." or half-heartedly prayed to God not putting my whole trust in God that He would answer them. The biggest difference with J-Gen among all the past retreats that I have been to is that I came out delighting in reading His word. I find myself wanting to read more, eager to learn more and more of His promises.
As soon as I got back home from J-Gen, my mom called a family meeting that would turn our family's lives around. This is the power of prayer and the power of Christ working! Months and months of us praying, and God has heard.
I read the book of Lamentations last night and I unknowingly ended up memorizing Lam3:22-23.. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." That really struck my heart. God puts difficulties and struggles into our lives so that we may realize our dependence for Him. No matter how many times we fall away from His hand, our Father, although He may become angry and frustrated at us as parents do, He will never deprive us from His compassion and will never forsake us.
