Forty eight hours with Three Key Questions

I’m exhausted, inspired and humbled as I write this. I’m exhausted after spending the past weekend on retreat with forty or so undergraduates talking about vocational discernment.

I’m inspired and humbled by the stories they shared about their faith, their at times dysfunctional families and their college experiences.

Spending the past eight weeks, preparing my eight leaders for a weekend Halftime retreat was a fun and tiring experience. It is nothing new for anyone who has worked closely with teenagers or college students. You work late into the night preparing for and getting everyone pumped for the event. You amble into meetings after a 10-hour day of school and work and you just don’t know how much energy you can give.

But they inspired me with their desires to be hopeful and to be intentional. There were so many people that made instant connections and hopefully lifelong friendships. One woman and I talked about journalism after she told me she worked with the NY Times for a spell. Another young woman and I started chatting about the Philippines and our respective families still living there. One young lady was struggling and had reached rock bottom, and we sat for awhile trying to joke and laugh.

All of this gives me a warm feeling inside as I sit surrounded with the idea that learning to push others is where I see my own growth. I learn how to be supportive and understanding. I also learn about showing compassion and gratitude. And personal handwritten notes for the team go a long way toward confidence building.

Now, after spending the last eight Sunday nights going over the Three Key Questions such as 1) What gives me joy, 2) What am I good at? And 3) Who does the world need me to be?

I’m a little misty-eyed about Sunday nights now that I have them to study instead of plan. It is a good feeling of accomplishment and an even greater feeling of humility.