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It's something that's been a recurring theme these few days.

Had a chat with a young friend this evening.

Now that I'm a counsellor always in constant training, I know that the most I can do, as a professional counsellor or as a friend, is to lay out the options and put things in perspective, yet leaving the decision with the person with regards to the directions and course of action to take.

I know that my responsibility stops at informing, providing personal opinions and encouraging towards positive actions, whether in the professional setting or not.

And should the person chooses otherwise, oft seen as following own desires, taking the path of least resistance, or simply a lack of self control, I must remind myself that I've done my best and that I mustn't feel too sad about it, especially if the person in question is someone dear, someone whom I know personally.

It's happened so many times in the past... and I know it will continue to happen.

They who think that joining street gangs will give them a better sense of identity, a sense of belonging... they who constantly get caught in performance trap, of esteem issues, who avoid further contact because they just can't see how they can fit in anymore... they who never actually want change and carry on having unhealthy relationships with members of the opposite or same gender...

He wills that some will listen to sound instruction... yet some will have to get burnt somehow in order to learn.

I just hope that He'll be gracious not to let me encounter any person personally in this lifetime who will traverse beyond the point of no return.

There has been a recent spate of me asking quite a number of youths to arrange a meet up / catch up with me.

And in my heart I'm asked to prepare myself to receive no response at all from any of them.

And for my personality, I have to constantly learn how not to take it personally.

And I can only go back to Pa and say Pa... I've tried. Hard. And there's really nothing else I can do but to keep this in prayer... and trust that You are sovereign in each and every one of their lives, that You will keep them save no matter the decisions they make in their lives...

It's ironic come to think of it... that I can trust Him with regards to my own journey and how He'll watch over my family and myself... and that I find it harder to do so when it comes to trusting the same for others.

And that becomes my issue... that my faith is to be enlarged. Haha.. ah. How ironic. :)

And yeah. Thankful for youths who labor along in this journey... I must say that I am most encouraged this week when a dear brother told me how he spent the entire day reading His word and how he discovered for himself what "grace" meant to him personally. Also most encouraged by another dear brother who's been taking a firm stand of following Christ even though certain areas of his life pose as a struggle. Ever so encouraged by two young sisters in Christ who've just finished their EOYs... I think we can meet up soon for our long long overdue meal ya mei meis!!!! XD

Youths who choose to follow after God are tremendously rare assets, especially in this generation.

When the music fades... when all is striped away... When the ra-ra-ness is gone... when fellowship dissipates...

Will He see that heart of worship?