follow the Leader

I'm reading Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris,
It's a really great book. It's perfect for the things I'm facing right now.
Sunday I realized that the reason why the kids in my youth group show now commitment or responsibility is because their parents don't expect them to. I had one parent tell me that it's too much to ask to have them commit to coming to an event 3 days in advance. She said that that's unrealistic to expect to hear back from them. I don't think so. I think that's not expecting enough!! Every kid has access to my number, my e-mail address, my facebook, my work mailbox, and my office. I don't see any reason for them to not be able to tell me "yes" or "no". I should be expecting SO much more from them. But, when their parents aren't encouraging them to be responsible it's hard for me to get it from them. They believe that their parents are the ones who think the most of them, so they put themselves at the standards they have set for them. I, somehow, need to show them that I have a higher standard. I KNOW that they can be soooo much more then they are letting themselves be. I was there... 4 years ago. I know it's a busy age, I know it's a trying age... but I also know what happens after graduation, and what happens during college, and what happens in the real world. I know where my faith needs to be. I want them to see where they should be, and WHO to put their faith and trust in. -- the LORD! God is the one who will not leave them, who will help them through their first week of college when they're missing home, He will be the one they turn to when their boyfriend/girlfriend breaks up with them, He will be the one who keeps them company as they drive home for Christmas break in the middle of a snowstorm. They need to commit themselves not only to responsiblity, but to picking up their cross and carrying it!! Faith needs to be personal...not what your mom and dad tell you it is, not what your friends think it is... it's between them and JESUS!!
ah. okay. sorry that turned into some kind of crazyness.. I let the Spirit go a little wild. haha :)
Anyway.. if you're the praying type, please pray for my youth.