One of the things you have to appreciate about serving, I don’t mean sending a letter to a service member oversees or collecting cereal boxes kind of serving… rather I’m talking about roll your sleeves up and get into the trenches kind of serving with the people that you are serving… is the reality that you can’t anticipate what the twists and turns and speed bumps and hurdles that will experienced along the way. Not to mention what God will show you along the way.
This post at Guidance started out surprisingly divided as the great divider was working overtime with these young men with a little in-fighting and much negativity of those moping around not wanting to participate. It was apparent that even one of the boy’s that is new since our last visit was spewing negativity and didn’t want to participate. This day required an overdrive of positivity and encouragement with a dose of peer accountability and expectation set by the Pax. By the end of our time with the boys the mood changed materially and the boys had fun and were much more engaged and participatory.
What is the lesson? First, I’ve noticed that currently amongst the boys there is lacking leadership within that has positivity rather there is more negativity that is infecting the home. In reflection, this is a reality in my daily life that in my home, work, F3 or any group I participate in I can be that person that takes the group to new heights with my positivity or I can be the cancer that infects the group and at worst infects others or at best stagnates the group at mediocrity. I challenge the Pax to be a light in the circles you run in but also take your light into the world, into these darker places in our community to be a light, a beacon of hope and encouragement. Serving the least of us is not easy, comfortable or always safe but we are called to step out of our comfort zones and serve.
The Thang:
Mosey to the church at the top of the hill (slow but steady). We had some fast pacers and some slow anchors to get to the top of the hill.
COP:
It is not abnormal to have varied participation amongst the boys but today they were going to hold each other accountable to participate because we weren’t going to stop until they could string together three exercises in a row with full participation and effort.
SSH – 10x – Not all participated so exercise didn’t count
Squats – 10x – Again not all participated …
Imperial Walkers – 10x Now we’re talking! All boys are in!
Mountains Climbers – 10x Best yet!
Windmills – 10x Mission accomplished
In the spirit of Easter we dispatched the boys to search the property (aka Easter Egg hunt style) to find the supplies for the next event. Searching for 4 bases and two balls the boys scoured the grounds, secured provisions and returned to the field.
Ended the work out playing kick ball with a twist. Playing one round with a large 20″ exercise ball and the other round with a dodge ball. Each time the kicking team got on base the fielding team had to do a burpee and each time the fielding team got an out then the kicking team had to do a burpee.
COT and mosey home!
Editorial Comment: The beginning of the workout shows me that these boys need the men of F3, they need more men to invest in their lives, to give them direction, accountability and hope. Consider how you can invest your time in their future! They don’t need more prayers… they need men to be in community with them on a consistent ongoing basis.
Chicken Hawk