Teenage Spirituality

I volunteer at my church. Specifically, I work with the youth group. 

Even more specifically, I am co-leading the confirmation group this go around. We have 7 guys, which has been fantastic. And very different. I don't know if you've ever hung around with teenage guys, but they are totally different than teenage girls.

Now, I am also a therapist-in-training, for those of you who didn't know. This means that I deal with emotion on a fairly regular basis both from my clients and from myself. 

But sometimes, sometimes it catches me off guard. Like tonight. One of the guys from the confirmation class had a hard, hard weekend. He lost a good friend of his suddenly, and, as with anyone he is in a state of shock, and sadness, and he's questioning everything. Just like any of us would. 

And tonight, while we're talking about what happened in class he begins to get emotional. 

If you've never seen a teenage boy begin to be upset, it's heartbreaking because the pain is palpable. And as myself and the other leaders try to get our bearings, one of the other boys stands up and walks over and places a hand on the first. 

It was so beautiful. So amazing. And so powerful. 

And made me unbelievably grateful to be a part of this process.