Have you ever been given a gift that was generous beyond measure and completely unexpected? There have been times in my life when that has happened. One time in particular stands out. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I volunteered for military service. My first duty station after basic training was aboard an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Antietam, CVS-36, homeported in Pensacola, Florida. I was seventeen years old, far from home, family and friends and trying to act like an adult. For the very first time in my life I was expected to make decisions for myself and also for the very first time, someone other than a parent was holding me accountable for the consequences of my decisions. I wasn't doing well. I kept up a brave face but the truth is I was bluffing my way through: I was scared and over my head!

That's when I met the Reverend William Sunda. He was the pastor of a Church in Pensacola. I liked him the first time we met. He was friendly but not pushy; he was curious about me without being nosey. He was an adult who remembered what it was to be an emerging adult! Even more remarkably, he invited me into his home and there I got to meet his wonderful wife and three young children. They included me into their lives and in fact, set up a bedroom for me so that whenever the ship was in port I could come spend the night. I don't know how often I stayed with them but I do recall spending the night in their home. They were exactly what I needed in my life; friends, people of faith who cared enough about me to give up some conveniences in order to accommodate some of my needs.

I remember thinking at that time how fortunate I was to know them. Now, many years later, I know what a rare and wonderful gift they were to me. Before I met them my life was spinning out of control. I was destroying myself by trying to fit in with my shipmates and living in a way that was not healthy. Their love for me was a stabilizing and an inspiring force. I wanted to honor the gift of their friendship by living an honorable life and because they lovingly accepted me, I began to dream a big dream for my life. I owe much to them for unexpected generosity.
 
I thought about Hilda and Billy Sunda this morning when I drove down Johnson Street and saw yet another young person getting into the back of a police car. He was cuffed and escorted by two police officers. My heart sank as I drank in the scene. Another lost, bewildered youth; another broken life and another young man of promise facing a life of limitations and being forced to face the consequences of his poor decisions. I could not help but wonder how many more young people will pay the price for poor parenting and poor community support? Then I wondered why I was targeting the failures of others when I had not constructively engaged the youth of our community. I felt ashamed.

I am writing this piece to ask for your help. I want Central United Methodist Church and its pastor to intentionally engage the children and youth of our community and offer friendship. I would like us to consider it a failure when any child or young person in our community goes astray or is harmed. I want you to tell me ways we can lovingly reach out to the bewildered and recklessly searching youth of our community to offer them a place of safety. What can we do to bridge the gap between the need of children and youth for good parenting and the misdirected and hurtful parenting they currently experience? Surely, we can find a way!

It isn't enough to give thanks for the gifts we have received. We need to find ways to live out that thanks. Every one of us has been the recipient of generous and unexpected gifts. To show our gratitude let's go out and surprise a lot of children and young people!

Grace and peace,

David