Failing to Launch

       Today was the first day of a Bible study I am trying to launch with hopes to encourage faith formation in my home parish.  The other leaders and I arrived about half an hour early with a case of water and dozens of cookies and brownies.  We were all excited and anxious for some students to arrive and get started!  Thirty minutes after the study was to begin we were still alone.  Not one single highschooler showed up.

Picture via The Barn

       The easy thing to do would be for us to quit.  We could call the study a failure and let it go.  However, the easy thing isn't always the right thing to do.  In fact, I am persuaded to say that the easy thing is rarely the right thing to do. 

       I was tempted to get down on myself as a person who had failed, but I realized I had not failed at all.  I had seen a need for Christ in the community and tried to share him with others.  I want to teach teenagers about the glory of God’s love and forgiveness.  So, if I look at myself through the eyes of God I am no failure.  I am a daughter to be proud of.

       I will not allow this one instance to discourage me from my purpose.  I will e-mail and post on Facebook all this week, and next Tuesday I will be right back at the parish Hall waiting for students. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” So, no, I will not give up because God deserves my perseverance.  If God gave up on me every time I decided not to show up to one of his teaching moments I would be doomed.

       I hope that the students of my parish have a change of heart and decide to show up next week.  Even if they don’t I know in my heart that am not a failure.  I am just a Catholic girl on a learning curve.

       

       Have you ever felt discouraged?  How did you overcome it?  What do you think I could do to attract high school students to a Bible Study?  Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Drop me a line in the comments below?