Have you used a dial up internet connection lately?  It’s SO SLOW! And so many web pages these days use large graphics and flash objects that trying to load even a Facebook page can get annoying fast.  Dial up is the bare minimum connection to connect to the internet. And though you’re connected, you’re not really connected at the fullest degree.

I feel like that with some of my kids in my ministry.  I can talk to them about some of the deepest topics and feel like I have really engaged their hearts…but then realize that the moment in which that happens is only one or two hours a week.  There are other countless hours throughout the week that are focused on friends, girls or boys, and even other stuff that I don’t wish to mention.  It’s like I have the bare minimum connection with them…because though I have a connection, it’s not really to the fullest degree.

This isn’t true for all of the kids, but for most…the connection is slow.

So I have made it intentional to take one kid and make him my summer project.  I know that I can’t take them all under my wing, but one.  And I will do what I can to make a connection that’s full, where everything is understood, where no walls are formed, and where honesty rules.  In fact I’m thinking of him right now…

He’s the 8th grade kid who is experimenting with pornography, getting nude pictures of girls from school on his phone, who cuts his body to release pain, because his parents just separated, and he feels like the whole world is full of judgers and emptied of just an ounce of love…because love doesn’t exist where he comes from.

That’s my summer project…

My challenge to you is to find a summer project.  Take ONE kid that needs your attention and make sure there is a strong connection.  Teach them the ways of Jesus…teach them before it’s too late.

Brandon Milburn

Community Minister (smconnect)