A good few years back, at a New year’s prayer meeting, my youth leader, said to me 'Laura, what you’ve got to ask yourself at the end of another year is this, Have you grown in your faith since this time last year? Are you a stronger Christian? Deeper in love with Jesus?' Ughhh, there’s nothing like deep searching questions eh? But I find myself asking the same question at the end of this year. Am I closer to God this December than last?

 

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So, (a little background info for you), this time last year I was just leaving one of the most exciting ministries I’d ever been part of. Heading up a 170+ strong youth project in East London working with some of the most incredible yet damaged and broken teenagers I’ve ever met. It was an amazing but difficult work that had without a doubt been the best 7 years of my life. A ministry where God was up to what He does best, changing lives, mending people, healing and restoring relationships with Himself. But in the midst of all of that, He unexpectedly called us elsewhere and so we left…obedience is often the scariest route! I remember thinking 'God I trust you, but this work is my life, are you sure this is right?' Sometimes things make no sense but you just have to go with it knowing God’s got a plan…

 So a year on, I’m now 10 months into my wonderful new job/ministry as an advertising exec for Youthwork magazine, helping produce what has always been one of my favourite magazines, and what I’ve considered over the years to be a fantastic resource for Youth workers. You guys out there, in the nitty gritty, working with young people for God, I love being able to be part of something that supports and hopefully equips and resources you. If nothing else, at times it also reminds you that you’re not alone, that there are thousands of other youth workers out there who know what struggles, joys and disappointments you are facing, and are up against the same battles.

 It never ceases to amaze me the way God has the ability to turn life upside down, and it’s often so hard just to let go and let God do His thing. But, the ministry in Dagenham has carried on fine without me, is growing and changing in ways maybe I was too reluctant to take it and although I miss it perhaps it was time to have a new challenge and take some new risks, move out of my comfort zone?

 So, after living in the middle of Dagenham for 7 years (and no, sadly I don’t know Stacey), I’m now living in a cottage in Sussex, have joined an Anglican church (a totally new experience for the Baptist in me!), and doing a job I love but never expected to be doing or thought I was qualified to do. So with only a few weeks left of 2010, am I closer to God..? To be honest I’m not 100% sure, but it’s been an interesting year. Roll on 2011!

 Laura Haddow is an advertising exec for Youthwork magazine, a qualified youth worker, self confessed diet coke addict, singer/songwriter and lover of the colour grey. You can follow Laura now @laurahaddow

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