Youth centre. All can change in half a second. Yr 6 Boy- snaps. Yelling swear words, pool cues being javelinned across the room, pool table balls gripped in his hands. Outside the balls are now rolling across the cement and a concrete block has been hurtled at some of the girls. Lucky... everything missed it's intended target by cm's.
After calming down he worked up the courage and apologised to the group of girls. Their response- they blatantly refused his apology stating they'd rather hold a grudge against him and that they would never forgive him. What followed was one of the most challenging conversations i've had with a bunch of girls. No matter what ways we looked at it- we couldn't see eye to eye on anything to do with the matter. Thinking back on the situation i think there's two reason why...
1. Seeing the bigger picture.
One of the most important things i've learnt about youth work is that every kid has a story. Every kid has a reason for acting the way they do. When a kid erupts like that....there's something going on deep inside. When you understand & acknowledge that- engaging with young people takes a whole new approach. They're not 'psychopaths'...they're hurt and struggling with stuff... like everyone else.
2. Experiencing true forgiveness
Being forgiven from the Creator of all we see, the Saviour of the world, the Lord who sees all and knows all! Knowing that He is gracious enough to forgive me when He knows everything I've done...How can I then choose not to forgive the people in my life? We all stand forgiven and yet think we have the right to be bitter at people, and hold grudges and never forgive people for petty things they've done to us?!?
I pray that those girls one day experience the forgiveness of their Heavenly Daddy so that they to... can learn to forgive and see people the way He sees them.
