just between us...

i'm reading up for a meeting i am running tonight. we're talking about pacing, then leading with teens (and each other). point being that it is easy for us to get close to teens (and each other), but the issue usually comes when we know we should challenge others.

listen to this...

"when we face challenges and struggles bigger than we are it matters less who is cheering for us in the distance and matters most who is alongside us in the midst of the battle."

phew! if you know me you'll understand this... for too long i've worried about, given attention to, and prioritized the people cheering for me in the distance always assuming the closer people would be there when i needed them. lately i've given more thought to the people who are already running alongside me. i've been trusting them more and letting them have insight into my battles.

we really can't worry about all the people who are cheering for us in the distance. sure, it makes us feel good about ourselves and might give us a boost of encouragement every once in awhile, but really we need to cherish and value the people who have been - and will continue to be - alongside us in the battle. they are the people we should allow speak into our lives. they are the ones who should get our three hour blocks of time. they are the people who should get our affection. they are the ones who become a part of our family. it is all about priorities people.