This was one of the hardest goodbyes of my life.
I spent 5 years of my life one year after college living in Boston and working with a youth group called, Revolution 143. My plan was to live in Boston for only 6 months to a year and then venture onto something else. I never changed my driver's license because I knew I was going back to Jersey fast. Every year after year 1 people would joke with me and say, "You're still here?" I would just laugh and say, "I can't leave my kids."
5 years of Friday night services, youth conferences, youth rallies, brainstorm meetings, intercessions, mission trips, retreats, TLW classes, carpools, graduations, proms, basketball games, birthdays, dance recitals, dance rehearsals, bake sales, counseling, food shopping, back to school shopping, lunch dates, and so much more if I tried to name it all, it would take up this whole post.
Caring for you caused me to look back at my teenage years and say to myself, "you have to be to them what you needed when you were growing up and more." I knew how important it was for me to be there for you. I knew how important it was for me to hear you. I knew how important it was to protect you. I knew how important it was for me to be honest with you. I knew how important it was for me to be me for you.
After 5 years of blood, sweat and tears, it was time for me to go. I need you to know my choice to leave you was extremely difficult and I wanted to stay, I planned to stay. I wanted to continue to be there for you and support you as many of you were on your way to college but life had other plans.
Rev143 there isn't a day that goes by that I am not thinking about you and praying for you. There are random times in my car that I am reminded of Missions 08, rapping Watch the Throne on the way home, Bloom Conference, New Years Eve on Vinson, Babson, Keith Ave, the cinnamon challenge, Dry Bones, Sunday Dinners, Award Show Parties, blindfolded musical chairs, guitar hero, Just Dance, making miis, Michael Gungor, Krump, You Have Me dance, the night you helped me meet Ochocinco, church hat shopping, nail polish nights, scooper bowls, macbook photo shoots, Unplugged, BBQ in the park in Baltimore, worship in the basement at my parent's house, Ruined Conference, dancing Soon at the funeral, Missions in Jersey, Ruined videos, Diddy Dirty Money concert, Keith Ave Whitney Houston tribute, & countless conversations late at night.
Being with you taught me that if you are not mentoring someone, you are being selfish.
They need us.
The next generation needs our story, our love, our advice, our heart, our concern, our support, our strength, our life.
Rev143, you made me better and I am honored to have been a small piece in your puzzle called life. I pray you never forget that no matter what, no matter when, I am here for you always.
#dearRev143 143