"It was Awesome."

It was a gut-level, enthusiastic response to my wife's text.

  

 

She was blown away with my response.  Up until now, moments with students have been encouraging, conversations surprising, gatherings energetic.  But never awesome.
More frequently the adjectives I use are less positive. Small group conversations are circuitous.  Rides home are rowdy. Evening meetings are both fun and difficult.

But this time, it, "Was awesome."

This day reeked of awesome-ness on a number of levels:

1. 9 of my friends got out of the neighborhood for the afternoon.
2. We experienced a classic summer day in San Diego.
3. 11 people fit in our minivan.   It has a capacity of 8.
4. The event was virtually free (minus the footlong subway sandwiches).
5. Over-the-line (a San Diego originated beach game) was a complete hit.
6. I heard lots of "Thank you coach!" and "That was so much fun!"  These guys are in the beginning stages of expressing feelings of gratitude.  This was huge progress.

While those are worthy of the "awesome" tag, I saw even more after reflecting on the day:

1. Trust is built via positive experiences together.   These guys are beginning to trust me.
2. I am functioning within my own strengths and gifts. I felt my own heart pound with contentment and thankfulness during our time.  This is what I was made for!
3. More and more, I am beginning to see these young men as God does.  I am seeing flashes of brilliance in them.   I am recognizing gifts that God has given them.  And I am pointing them out, as a way to call them forward.

"Was [truly] awesome."