Recently, my 12-month-old niece said her first word and our entire family lost their minds — heaping on praise, applauding her, showering her with compliments and even labeling her a “genius baby.”
It made me think about the young adults in our Don’t Go Alone mentoring program who did not have someone to make them feel special or celebrated when they accomplished things.
Brandi Laperriere is a licensed professional counselor in the Northern Virginia area, and she recently spoke with our mentors and reminded them that their job is simply to “be happy to be here.” It is simply to delight in them. To see the young adult as special, recognizing their accomplishments, both small and big.
Think about the times in your life when someone took delight in you - whether it was a family member, a teacher, a coach, or a friend. Think about the shift that occurs in you when you feel that you are not just tolerated, but that someone is truly glad to see you.
It’s the same shift that happens when we understand God's delight and rejoicing over us, his children.
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Here are some small moments that have occurred this summer with our young adults. Our prayer is that they have that same felt experience of unconditional love, delight, and joy from their mentors and our program, as the Father has in us!
Karla started her first full time job at Taco Bamba.
Micaiah, Daniel and Henderson completed summer internships at a job work program.
Gaby moved into her first independent apartment.
Anna took her first ever paid vacation as part of her first full-time, salaried job.
Dalton started driving lessons with his mentor.
Diamond completed driver's education and got her driver’s license.
Samirah traveled to Ghana to visit family, planning the trip by herself and navigating all the details.
Anna, Samirah and Domenica completed another semester of college.
