tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post301040292125889443..comments2023-03-01T00:32:58.610-08:00Comments on Life Aid 101: Spiritual growthJoseph Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07481532933038029604noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6370620827395029400.post-83872012014938928012010-11-07T04:10:51.095-08:002010-11-07T04:10:51.095-08:00Hi Joey,
I've been following your column for ...Hi Joey,<br /><br />I've been following your column for a while now and have found it to be chocked full of good advice. So thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom. <br /><br />Thank you most especially for this entry as it puts to print my own half-realized thoughts. I have four boys--ages 20 to 12. Our own church used to have a terrific youth program, but for one reason or another, it is now non-existent. We live in a very small town, largely peopled with retirees, and most of the churches here suffer from this. Out of loyalty to the local congregation my husband and I continue to attend and our boys do part of the time. <br /><br />A couple of years ago, my oldest son formed a friendship with a pastor at a church (same denomination) in another town. He now plays music with their worship band and assists in leading the youth group. This pastor has a heart for youth and it shows. Their group is strong and active. My son is in college, but detours past here every weekend to take his brothers with him (without us asking him to and without asking for gas money). I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this. He is a fine Christian young man who has taken responsibility for his own faith and now is helping his younger brothers. <br /><br />In our own church, it is sometimes awkward explaining where the boys are and I'm sure it looks like we're living with one foot out the door. But we believe that sending the boys where they're getting fed is more important than awkward silences.Mary O. Paddockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097124493453341534noreply@blogger.com