I whooped Donal in a game of speed yesterday. It was a simple card game (in which I won) but actually it was so much more.
It was initiation- he asked if he could come up after school to play cards.
It was relationship building.
It was conversation- several deep ones- all while I was beating him (ok he one like two rounds). But we talked about life, God, religion, school, friendships, family life, Christmas... in the span of a half an hour.
It was face to face youth work.
It was organic and spontaneous.
It was life giving.
It was loud- I get excited when I win.
It was competitive.
It was a gift- I had been wanting to talk to him, but didn't have opportunities earlier in the week.
It was Spirit led- God is doing a lot in His life even if he says he's not "religious."
So it might just look like a game of cards, but actually it's so so so much more. And I am so grateful to be a youth worker here in Belfast. I hope and pray to have many many more card games (in which I win) filled with spontaneous conversations.
