wonder-wonder-wonder…..
I have been wondering alot about something and just recently- it hit me— I should blog this-maybe someone will have some great thought provoking ideas. Here is my “wonder”- At what point do we let someone go— I know that every 4 years of my life I am going to see people walk away from FH to exciting and wonderful things- I also know that every year- I will get another amazing group of people to love and care for and to be all and do all I can for them for their 4 years. Here is the delimma- occassionally- I will have a young person come into my office- and of course this means coming into my life— and I will see them very regularly for several days- and little by little they will tell “their story.” Don’t get me wrong- I love that- I love to hear about people and where they have been and where they want to go—but while several of these stories are incredible and wonderful and fill my heart with joy and excitement…sometimes- they bring stories of sadness- sad childhood or sad dating situations or sad families…and sometimes the stories are so unreal it crushes my heart to hear them. I do all I can to try to be encouraging- to say something that will boost them- give them some small piece of Joy. Often we read a scripture together- or we pray together…and sometimes I will cry when they begin telling me about difficult things. One thing that I always try to do is recommend that they go see our campus counselors- so that they can talk with them and find a way to have peace from their situation no matter how big or small. -On a side note: (We have two of the most amazing counselors at school and they are overworked but you always see them smiling—it is a blessing to know them and get to work with them.) Ok now back to my “wonder”— Each time these young people come in to say- do you have a minute to talk— and I do as often as possible- I become more and more involved in their lives. So- about a week ago- I had 3 of them—3!!!! tell me they were going to drop out of school…they felt they were to far behind, or they felt they were to overwhelmed- they felt they were failing class- and they just thought this was best. In each of these situations- I know that it was probably true -that they were not doing their work or not attending class- and going to do very poorly academically. Here is the big problem— I don’t want them to drop-out…they NEED us!! They NEED the school counselors- they NEED the Christian friends- They NEED the devotionals and social club events- they NEED us! It is just to hard to let go— I find myself sitting in my office trying to come up with some way to help- some of them are going to homes that they needed to be away from- some don’t know where they will go. This is such a big situation to me. It is just hard to let go…some of these young people are not yet Christians and the thought of not getting one more study with them…well- it is just difficult. I realize FH is an academic place- I realize that the main goal for most is their diploma..and I know that FH is not a boarding house— but WOW- I do love them and I do want so much to find someway for them to be here- a place I consider to be literally life-changing…they need that more than most. So…there is my “wonder”…any thoughts? :)
