Culture Clash?

Youth group tonight: 3 loud, crazy, boy-obsessed, sugar-high girls. Typical 8th-9th graders. I love it. I go, not because I have to, but because often it is the highlight of my week.

Tonight we played some games, including sardines (the elders from choir practice were a little confused and concerned as to what we were doing in the dark), careful to stay away from this weekend's bazaar items (by the way, I scored a new Magic Bullet for $10 and an awesome frying pan for a few dollars!).

We ended up in the sanctuary at the very end, finally finding Matt by the baptismal font. The "stage lighting" was on, lighting only the altar area. One girl exclaimed, "I feel like Britney Spears." The adults all paused, and then all of a sudden she broke out singing "Womanizer" and then onto Miley Cyrus songs. Of course, the other girls joined in.

At first, I was a little appalled. When is it acceptable to be singing Britney Spear songs in the front of church? Probably not ever.

Can you say culture clash?

At the same time, I had to stop myself mid-judgment--not to give my approval to the singing of these songs--but to acknowledge the teenagers behind the music. I might not agree with their actions, but they are children of God, just as much as pastors, or seminary students, or life-long church members, or Britney Spears, or anyone else.

Ok, so this might not be the most earth-shattering post, but it was a good reminder for me tonight.

God works in mysterious ways.

Miss you all!

Peace--
HGJ