Carol's Contemplations: Presence with Mark Yaconelli

Reflections on ‘Presence: Encountering God with young people’ – Mark Yaconelli

God loves people because he loves people

God loves me

It’s about listening

Really listening

And hearing

It’s about listening

Really listening

And seeing

It’s about being available

It’s about being open

And honest

And vulnerable

It’s about being

Being what you say

Being what you do

It’s about taking the time

It’s about not rushing in

It’s not about having the right answers

It’s about being there

It’s about loving

It’s about compassion

It’s about being broken

T’s about passion

It’s about loving

It’s about seeing people

It’s about seeing behind the mask

And still accepting

And loving

And being available

It’s about being hurt

And let down

And not understanding

And still accepting

And loving

And being available

It’s about building relationships

It’s about nurturing relationships

It’s about acceptance

And loving

And being available

It’s not about agendas

It’s not about statistics

It’s not about curriculum

It’s about acceptance

And loving

And being available

It’s about God’s way

Not man’s way

It’s about winners not losers

It’s about respecting and recognising every individual equally

No hierarchy

It’s about commitment

It’s about the long haul

It’s about acceptance

And loving

And being available

I conclude that:

It is the job description of a mentor. It’s talking about being a role model for those around us. Yes!

It is about the freedom to be creative. To get away from rules and numbers. Fantastic!

I do what I do because I love young people – it’s more than a job

[composed and posted with ecto]