From a Handshake to My Heart - 2

Now here's the last part - -

Maybe it's being thrown into a small group right before leaving for a week out of your comfort zone. It wasn't just the small group that made me realize things, it was the adventures we went through while we were together. The conversations were amazing, and it was nice for us all to have a "safe place" to talk about everything we were going through as we were challenged each day. The smallest things would lead us to talking about much more than what we anticipated. Our late night talks and every day laughter definitely brought us more in touch with each other. As Lifeline leaders, we get a chance to work with the most incredible students. Their stories are all different shapes and sizes - but their hearts all long for the same thing. All they want is to be recognized, noticed, and loved on by people who care. It's our job to help them understand that they are here for a reason, that no matter what they are being told on the outside isn't what they are being shaped for on the inside. It's about being true with themselves and Christ. Over the last couple years students have become even more of a passion of mine. We've all been there, wanting people to care, wanting someone to tell you that you matter. Looking one of those students in the eye and saying "I'm proud of you," might be the strongest phrase you could use to help them understand how important they truly are.

One of my favorite places to chat - in the car. Car conversations are always great. I love when I meet new people when we're carpooling somewhere. I think it's because we can't escape each other. We have to answer questions, and since we're not in the car alone, we have other people to use as our buffer. I remember asking this person why they wanted to be an adult leader for Lifeline. Her answer was true and I could feel the words spilling from her heart. I knew God had great plans for her, and as I continue helping her out on Sunday nights our friendship gets even more defined.

Sometimes it's being paired up with someone you've never really met...until that one night you meet for coffee and realize they aren't who you thought they were...really. Not in some strange, stalker, insane sort of way - - more like they actually thought you were someone else. Not only did we get a good laugh out of it - - we ended up chatting for four hours about anything and everything. Do you ever meet people for the first time and wonder why you hadn't met them before because it's like you had been friends for ages? I continue learning so much from her triumphs and struggles.


As you can probably tell already all of these people have touched my heart in some way. I may sound like a broken record, but I'm so blessed to share my life with these amazing people. I can't just sum up these individuals in 2 categories, leaders and students. That's not who I am, and that's not who they have become in my journey. They are lifelong friends that I don't know where I would be without them. It's crazy to think that if I wouldn't have let my guard down at the beginning of all of this, I probably wouldn't of had the courage to even meet these people. Like I've said before, it's about being comfortable in your own skin that helps you shape yourself. The people you meet along the way are slices of who you will end up being, they all have an impact - even if it's just the slightest touch.