Katie's Prayer: God's Property's "Stomp"

Makes me clap my hands

Makes me wanna dance

Last week, I was at the Life Teen Leadership Conference in Atchison, KS, with about 500 other people. By far one of the best weeks of my life. A week full of amazing speakers that because it was a leadership conference, went into much more depth than a normal teen event. A week full of an amazing band that at practically every single song reminded us to actually pray the song - not just sing it. A week full of getting to know some amazing teens. I think one of the things that made it so amazing for me was that I was more than just a chaperone. I mean, that’s why I went, but this retreat slowly became a retreat for me as well. And because of the depth they went to, it actually challenged me as well as the teens.

One of the major themes of the week was “become comfortable with being uncomfortable.” They constantly challenged us on that. It was amazing to see how many of the teens went from just standing there during the songs, to clapping, and dancing, and raising their hands in the air, and singing with everything that they had. Randy, during one of his talks at the end of the week, was talking about this. And talking about how it shouldn’t stop there. Talking about how he is unashamed to be the only one singing loud. How he is unashamed to be the only one having his hands in the air, or clapping, or whatever. Because, really, it’s not about what other people think - it’s about what God thinks. And really, how on a song like this one - pretty sure Jesus would be groovin’ to the music, so why shouldn’t I? Sometimes, I feel those urges to clap, or dance, or sing with everything I’ve got, but I fight them. I don’t wanna be the only one. I don’t wanna look stupid or crazy or whatever. But if it makes me wanna clap, if it makes me wanna dance, why not? Why not let the music affect me? I pray that I can continue that unashamedness that Randy was talking about.