Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Milt Warkentien.

Wednesday, we looked at the Samuel call from the perspective of youth; but there is an extremely important other person in the story, and that’s Eli. Eli finally recognized that it was God calling Samuel. Without sharing this knowledge, would Samuel ever have realized that it was God calling him? I’m guessing God would have figured a different way; but since Eli realized it was God calling Samuel, we don’t need to worry about that. 

Youth need mentors in their life to learn from, someone to throw questions out to, be a friend, etc. I like that during Lent our confirmation students have mentors to meet with. I always hope that these mentor/youth meetings create a lifelong friendship, or at least someone that the youth feel comfortable enough with to say hi to, or even someone they trust enough to help them out with a problem or discuss some question they may have.  

As I said in Wednesday’s devotion, I’ve been very fortunate to have met some incredible youth during my years at PoP, volunteering in the Roseville School, or before that in Iowa City. I also mentioned that I hope they received as much from me as I did from them. It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child, and I’m glad PoP has been such a village to many youth.    

One thing that’s always on my mind is what happened to many of the youth I’ve lost track of. Is God active in their life? Are they now parents, and if so, do they have a village to help support them and their children? Are they now being mentors to other youth? So many questions that I’ll probably never know the answers to, but I hold out hope that God is a part of their lives.  

I leave you the words of the hymn “God, We Gather as Your People” (All Creation Sings, #1038, music and text by David Lehman), for reflection today. We’ve been using the 4th verse as our offertory this fall, so hopefully that verse sounds familiar.

1) God, we gather as your people to raise our song above, and we dare to claim the promise of your love. Though the day may not yet be here, we trust it soon will be, when your children will be free. 

Refrain: Oh may our hearts and minds be opened, fling the church doors open wide. May there be room enough for ev’ryone inside. For in God there is a welcome, in God we all belong. May that welcome be our song. 

2) Oh, we sing for all the children, that one day they be free; and we sing for generations yet to be, that they never have a reason to doubt that they are blest. May they, in your love, find rest. 
Refrain

3) Oh, we pray for all the young lives cut short by fear and shame, so afraid of who they are and whom they love. May the message now be banished that your love is for the few; may their faith in you renew. 
Refrain

4) God, we’re working for the future when children far and wide can live their lives with dignity and pride. As they grow in strength and stature, may they join us hand in hand, as against all hate we stand. 
Refrain

Dear God, help us to remember all the mentors in our lives, past and present, and to give thanks for those that took/take the time to care about us. May we all find ways to be mentors of our faith and God’s love. Amen