Burning Words

This is a digital generation. When I'm talking to the younger generation and I'm reading their thoughts, there is a lack of words but I hear them talk constantly.  So I sit by them.  I listen to the words that they have to say.  These are the words that are more important than instruction.  These are the distracting, destructive words that need to be said with such imperative in a classroom.  So I want to hear them.  They are snippets of stories.  Things that happened to them when they were in another class or on their weekends. 

I have this idea.  If you're talking, you're not listening.  If you're not listening, you're not learning.  What makes them talk?  What makes them talk and say nothing?  Did they save those words?  Are those words burning their lips to be said?  Why is it that they aren't saying anything important?  Am I missing something?  I want to listen to what they have to say.  I ask them questions.  And sometimes, they tell me things.  But... I'm not hearing anything that is so important that I need to stop a lesson to listen to them.  And they don't want me to hear their stories.  They want to talk to someone else about their weekend. 

I hear that they don't know who they are supposed to be.  I hear that they are scared about the future and it is easier to talk about a party than the stuff that I want to make them think about.  They know.  They know that they will be able to come and tell me about their life next year.  They will come.  They will look for me to tell me, or reprimand me.  They come to tell me that I was right.

I sit and weigh my words.  These are the words that will help or hinder.  I'm the adult.  I'm the one that knows better.  I pull back the bow and when I shoot my dart, I aim for the heart.  My words burn as I am to teach truth when all they know about are lies.  The Truth shall set you free.  This is what I think about as I sit there or stand there.  What do you need to hear?  What will you remember?  What are the words you need to remember to keep going when you get stuck and I am not there?  I don't know. 

So I pray:
God,
Help me be a light in dark places.  Lord, give me the words.  Give me burning words to sear into the hearts and minds of people that need to remember that they are loved.  I'm a hot mess Christian but Lord, in Your infinite mercy, let the mess that I am direct people to You and Your ability to make something out of messes.  Even me, Lord. 

Amen.