The term “Micah kids” has a special meaning at our church.  On Monday nights, we welcome many children to eat supper, receive Christian education, arts programming, or counseling and play basketball up in the gym.  A “Micah kid” could be a young person who lives near the church and shares his or her home with a “traditional” family.  A “Micah kid” could also be a foster child living in a group home, a teen without a home more or less running the streets, the child of a battered woman from the shelter up the street or even a teenager with a baby of her own.  All of them are precious and all of them are not only taught by us but teach us a great deal about the fragility and important dream of “abundant life.”

       It’s been instructive to ask these young people about their dreams.  Some want to be doctors or teachers.  Some envision their future selves as parents, athletes or writers.  One told me that that he wanted to be the first high school graduate in his family.  But some, sadly enough, will look up at you plaintively and say they have no dreams.  For too many of them, already, “abundant life” seems a distant, illusive possibility.  They pray when you ask them to put their hands together, but you have to wonder what they are praying for.  Dreams have been broken throughout their short lives.  Relationships have suddenly ruptured.  Home is not a place of peace or sanctuary.

       In the smooth faces of these young people, you sense a rage to live in the moment.  They tend to play harder, to demand a great deal or nothing at all – some cling to you desperately, others do not even want to have hair that has fallen into their eyes brushed away.  Some of them recall, for me, the urgent energy of the disciple, Peter, who was full of busy action, even when he didn’t seem to understand what that action should be about.  When I get that sense about them, I have hope that with love and good mentoring, their rage to live in the moment might be transformed into energy for a better tomorrow.

       Hundreds of adults who have served at the Micah Ministry do all they can to warmly greet and pay close attention to “Micah kids.”  Beyond their own good intentions, what we need is your prayers, also, for much of what needs to happen for “the least of these” children can only occur through the benevolent grace of God.  We can put a good, home-cooked meal before them, but only God can turn that into a felt expression of love.  We can do our best to keep them safe for several hours from the mean streets of the city, but only God can center their souls with a peace that passes our poor understandings.  So, please, keep “Micah kids” in your daily prayers.

       The future of many youth and of our city may depend upon the compassionate work and prayer you are willing to offer for both.

God bless you, each one.

Pastor Lee