Youth Leaders

One of my favorite things to do growing up was going to Sunday night youth group. It started in junior high, and it was over with when high school ended.

The junior high leader was Mrs. Rader. She, her husband, and their two children - Pat and Paula - lived in a modest home in a modest neighborhood. She could be counted on to keep everyone in line, make everything run smoothly, and always let us know that she loved us through and through. Even if you were a rascal. But I wasn't.

Mr. Rader went on to heaven on a schedule that I thought was too soon. Pat and Paula still live nearby, although I've not kept in touch with either of them. But Mrs. Rader is still around, going to the same church, and - I'm sure - still keeping things running in smooth order and showing God's love to His children, no matter their age.

Our senior high leaders were Burl and Suzanne. (There was another couple that lead before them, and they taught valuable lessons too. But they were the "bad" example sort.) Burl and Suzanne lived in a big house in a fancy part of town. They had a house full of little boys and the energy to match them. And they still had the energy for us, too. Loving, giving, hearts open to everyone. That described them then, and it still describes them now.

Like Mrs. Rader, Burl and Suzanne are still around, too. Different church now, but still involved - with their kids and grandkids, with their friends, and with who knows what project or cause. I'm convinced that Suzanne has a special gift with prayer. Not so much reciting one out loud, although I'm sure she does that well. I mean she has a special prayerful spirit that God finds favor with. All I know is that if I have something that I really think needs praying over, I want Suzanne to know about it.

And then there are my friends that grew up in youth group with me. My cousin Sherry and I always went together, so I think of her first. She's gone on to heaven. Been there 10 years now. I still miss her every day. The girls: me, Karen, Jan, Candice, Sharon. We're spread out but I could find each of them quickly. The guys: Butch, Joe, Johnny, Pat. They are all still in our hometown. Good men, but I expect they still have their rascally days!

You shall teach them (God's laws) to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
(Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV)