Sundays are always memorable, but some Sundays are just days you’ll never forget. You’ll never forget the day you got saved, the day you looked over and saw a friend in tears and all you could do is hug her and pray, or the day you heard a message that sounded like the Pastor was talking directly to you (from God) and to no  one else. Those are days you’ll never forget.

Yesterday, before the opening music even ended, a young girl walked up and asked Preacher Jamie if we could have special prayer for a teenager that died in a car accident the night before. The thought of a 17 year old dying so young is devastating, but to hear later that she was in the car with a drunk driver and other young teens, it’s terrifying.

Ladies, please be careful. My son always says he’s going to get to Heaven before his brother because he’s older. He’s 5 and his brother is 2 but death has no age and no one is promised tomorrow. There will be days and times in your life (at all ages) that you feel invincible like nothing or no one could harm you or take your life away, but in a split second, you could be facing eternity. Where will you spend eternity? Are you ready for that day?

I still remember the first teenager that I knew that passed away at a young age. Adam Harris was in my youth group and suffered from heart trouble off and on all of his life. He was so tough and just flat out hilarious! Everyone loved him! We spent our Summers racing jet skis on the lake and going on youth trips with the church. He was always fun to hang out with and just listen to. He had the greatest Southern accent/drawl I guess you could say. I can still hear it now just thinking about him. He was a friend to everyone.

After a bad four wheeling accident, multiple surgeries, he didn’t  recover and bounce back as quickly as we hoped he would. All I know is one day I woke up and my mom told me he was gone. He was too young to die. He had his whole life in front of him but he was gone…just like that.

I’ll never forget that first Sunday going to church and he wasn’t there. I thought I was strong enough to sit there and listen to the sermon and funny stories we could all tell, but I couldn’t. I remember going down the steps crying my way out. I couldn’t handle it.

Today, as I sat in church, at 30 years old, my heart broke for the teens and the families that were broken for the loss of their friend. When I got home and heard that a 19 year old was driving drunk when the accident happened, my anger turned to sorrow. Yes, the driver was completely and utterly in the wrong, but why were they drinking in the first place? Where did they get the alcohol? None of that matters but what does matter is that the driver woke up from that accident and one of the passengers didn’t. Can you imagine the guilt, the pain, the anger at yourself? Life is short. Don’t make it shorter by making bad decisions.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say this again, program my number in your phone and I will pick you up – no questions asked – and take you home safely. 864-915-8094 (KAYLA RAMPEY) and yes text works too  – I am a mom – I wake up anytime my phone rings, beeps, or buzzes and I will be there for you if you get in a situation you need help out of. I’m not here to judge you, but I am here if you need help or just someone to talk to. Don’t live life alone or in a fog using alcohol of drugs to cover up your pain. It’s not worth it, I promise.

And if you can’t get me – call an adult you can trust and find someone that has not been drinking AT ALL to just take you home. I’ve been there, I’ve done that, it’s not worth the risk of maybe or maybe not making it home alive. Get a ride – save your life and he lives of others.

My dad told me hundreds of times the same thing yet I never called him. I’m ashamed to say that there were nights I’m not sure how I made it home. All I know is God had a better plan for my life and his protection is the only way I survived my rebellion. Not everyone survives. Don’t waste your life running from God and trying to do things your way, run to Him, and let Him change your life.

Yesterday, at the end of the service, 2 young ladies walked to the front to pray. Shortly after they kneeled down, a few more came behind them. One by one, two by two, crowds circled around them and just prayed. That was powerful…the power of prayer not only reaches God in Heaven but it reaches those around you. It encourages, it displays His love, and it inspires others to step up and trust in Him.

There are times that honestly you won’t know what to say or what to do to make someone feel better, but you can pray. You can grab there hand, no matter where you are, and simply pray for them.

Youth – you can be an encouragement to kids, teens, and even adults. Just last week, I was working at the Easley Fall for the Arts Festival when a young lady walked up to me from church and asked me how I was doing. (for those of you that don’t know I’ve had a lot of health problems for the last 6-8 months – and it’s really gotten me down and depressed at times). I told her I was getting better and then we talked a minute and she asked if she could pray for me….right then….right there. WOW. With people all around, in public, a teenager put her hand on my shoulder and just prayed that God would give me peace, heal my body, and answer my prayers. Tears came to my eyes as I realized I needed to do that more often. It was such a blessing to me.

Teens – you can make a difference. You can be the change this world needs. Step up and show the world Who God really is!

May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!