Many young people today have a limited palette when it comes to food. I know a few that won’t eat much more than Mac-N-Cheese, chicken nuggets, or tacos. Yet, when it comes to lifestyles or faith, it is more like a buffet line. Taking a little of this and a little of that and fill their plate with things they like and avoid things they don’t. During our discussion times, there was a young man who would laugh and say, “I just pick the things I like in religion and leave the rest and that includes Jesus’ stuff and Christianity.” The last time we met together I shared with the group a particularly difficult time in my life, as I was raised by a single dad, and how Jesus healed me of the emotional pain I was dealing with. That young man looked at me with tear-filled eyes and said, “Can I have a Bible?” I said, “Of course!” and offered him one of our Gospels of John. He said “Can I get the whole Bible?” Moved by his request, I slid my bible across the table towards him. He took it, got up from his seat and came over to me. With tears flowing, he said. “Thank you, Larry, for being so brave to share such a deep hurt. I have hurts like this too.” He kept the bible and is meeting with one of our staff for a bible study.

LARRY LICATO,  71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator  

(541) 860-3275 | larry@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB