Speed

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.