Middle School, Justin Beiber & Jesus

Reasons I Must Break My Commitment to Lead a Middle School Small Group

              1.     I have an allergy to Justin Beiber’s ‘Someday’ perfume.

2.     I am unable to squeal at pitches only dogs can hear.

3.    I’m not on Team Edward or Team Jacob.

4.    My mom doesn’t let me listen to Taylor Swift.

5.     I look really bad in Ugg boots.

You think I’m joking, don’t you? I’m not.

Okay… maybe a little.

Middle school ministry is tough. I’ve always heard people describe middle school as an “awkward stage.” If this is them at awkward, I must have been downright painful! To say I cannot relate would be an understatement. I do not understand their ‘abrevs’ and I ‘totes’ just figured out that ‘totes’ means totally. I for ‘realz’ didn’t get a cell phone until I was 16 when there was no such thing as a tweet or a wall post.

I have so much to learn.

They would probably giggle if they knew I was writing a post about them right now. I’m pretty sure they would beg for me to post pictures. They would then all argue over which pictures were the cutest of them making kissy faces and throwing up peace signs.

I joke, but the reality is that mentoring this age group is tough. I’ve prayed a dozen times for the Lord to release me from this group. I want out because the relationships aren’t coming easily. I want out because I only like mentoring when it’s easy, and that’s the honest truth. I’ve asked God if I could perhaps have a ‘transfer’ to children’s ministry. I think I would prefer wiping dirty noses instead of receiving dirty looks… 

But He hasn’t released me. I just can’t imagine that He would choose me to lead these girls.

Me, Lord? Are you sure?

I’m reminded of Moses in Exodus 3:11-12 and his feelings of inadequacy when God told him of His plans to send him to Pharaoh so that He would lead the Israelites out of Egypt. However, Moses was uncertain that he was the man for the job.

But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”

 I’m with you Moses. It is so tempting to ask, “Who am I that I should lead these girls? I am so ill-equipped!”

And somehow I know God must be saying “I will certainly be with you, Mickey, every step of the way”

Maybe He'll make me immune to Justin Beiber perfume.

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Today's blog post was written by Mickey McCloud, who works with middle school girls in her church. She has written blogs for us before. Who knows what stories she'll bring us next?