This past weekend was Valentine’s Weekend. It was anything but typical. My husband asked me to pick up cards for the boys, which I did. The Valentine card choices were terrible, smarmy, and stupid, so I got friendship cards with blank insides so that we could write our own messages to them. I also picked up a card for my husband. In true form, he said, “I feel bad I didn’t get you a card, but I did pay your visa bill today.” Oh he makes me laugh. We aren’t exactly big Valentine’s Day celebrants.😉

With our younger son on a school trip, we decided to visit our older college son in Fort Worth. He is living his best life his way. I enjoyed the meals, the conversation, the basketball watching, the mandatory pictures (with no smiling), meeting roommates and frisbee friends and church friends.

Sunday was Youth Sunday at the University Christian Church (UCC). We attended the 11:00 service at our son’s invitation. If you’ve ever raised your own doubting Thomas, you know this invitation was unexpected and joyfully received.

The middle and high schoolers did a wonderful job leading the service. It is no small thing to stand in front of people and lead a prayer, read a scripture, sing a song, or give a sermon—and they did all of that! We even shared communion. It was one of the most genuine worship hours I have ever spent in church.

I have not experienced a communion service completely led by laypersons, much less young people. I was overcome watching these teenagers break the bread and bless the juice and start the sacrament of communion with one another and then the other lay persons who then in turn brought the bread and juice to us in the pews. We passed the communion down the pew to one another. It was so different and so moving and honestly it felt just as holy as it does when I go to the alter to receive. I said something to my son about it and he said, “Mom, we have communion every Sunday just like this.” What a beautiful moment to experience each week!

He introduced us to his dear friend and mentor, Bart* (not his real name). Bart is a feisty, articulate, 80 year old retired history teacher from Fort Worth by way of Kentucky. We had a lovely lunch telling stories and sharing our histories with one another. The two of them have obviously clicked and genuinely enjoy each other’s company at church lunches and basketball games and small group meetings.

Our son has become an integral part of the College Ministry at UCC serving on the college board and leading a small group on Thursdays. He just fits right in at church and it seems like the most natural thing in the world to see him there.

We had a long adolescence of questions and declarations and refusals and frustrations with organized religion. Sometimes it takes someone other than mom or dad. Sometimes it takes a new place and new people. I am humbled and grateful for the people placed in our son’s life who quietly, persistently, without judgement or reservation, woo him towards a life of love and service of others. Observing (with minimal comment) a faith journey that is on his terms is a gift. Thank you God for unexpected love in unexpected ways in unexpected places.

Ever on the Journey with all of you. Love y’all big,

Marla