Over the years I've met some pretty amazing young people. I want to share with you a little about those who have tattooed my soul over the years. (Their names have been changed for confidentiality.)
You know the kind of people I'm talking about: those that leave a mark on you that just won't come off. There are too many to write about in just one sitting, but they are the reasons we do what we do.
James - A sophomore who lives under the shadow of his older "perfect" brother and feels like he constantly disappoints his parents.
Anne - Now a high school graduate, but came to us broken and depressed. Anne hurt so bad that she cut herself just to feel better.
Jill - A talented young athlete who, in her relentless pursuit of perfection and to hide her hurt, ruined her heart because of an eating disorder.
Tony - A teenage boy who took his life because he longed for love that no one gave him.
Heather - A teenage girl in the foster care system who struggles with her sexual identity because of past abuse.
Andy - An affluent, successful, former high school athlete who struggles with anger because of his steroid abuse.
Walter - A musically gifted young man from the inner city who is addicted to heroin.
Kate - A high school senior who jumps from one abusive boyfriend to another because she's desperate to be loved - by anyone.
Jesse - Another affluent suburban teen who is so bored with his life of endless choices that he turns to chronic marijuana usage to cope with his lack of purpose. It's tragic that he has never had to work for anything in his young life.
There are many more "tattoos" on my soul. There are many other stories like these. It is my experience that the difference between the ones who "make it out" and those who don't is the presence of a caring adults who are willing to enter into the messiness of their adolescent journey to walk with them. It is a very dark place for many out there and without a guide, it's hard to make it out alive. Here's to all of you who have answered the call; that crazy, unique, and often-misunderstood calling to walk alongside kids for the sake of knowing the love of Christ.