About the Author

Michelle Ami Reyes, PhD, is an author and activist. Her first book, Becoming All Things, is the recipient of the 2022 ECPA award. Michelle writes at the intersection of multiculturalism, faith, and justice. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. I love this! You are so right! I recently shared a meal with a friend who had been estranged from our friend circle. No deep conversations or dissecting why she become estranged just joy in a meal together after years of not seeing each other.
    My husband & I also double dated with a former pastor & his wife just to be together. His being a former has wounds & controversy attached. Again we were with them to enjoy their company not question the whys of the hurts or what’s next for them. Some other friends were disappointed in us we didn’t grill them about their future but we did not feel compelled that that was needed, especially for them. The fun we had & future time together planned, proved our approach to be correct. Thank you for encouraging us! I am amen-ing every word!

    • I agree with what you did. It doesn’t matter the why. Those people just needed the companionship. Good that you did that!

  2. Love this! Thank you, Michelle. Yes, definitely had fu. Times in youth group — as youth, then advisors. We established a bond through faith and fun during that season. I miss that!

  3. Yes!!!!! I love this, Michelle. I think this has always been true (yet neglected) and after the last couple of years it’s more critical than ever in our churches, communities, and families. Help us, Lord! Thanks for the encouragement!

  4. What a refreshing reminder to be present in these trying and uncertain times. Thank you for the encouragement to be there for one another! Our extended family, my extended family that have been there for me more times than I can count. Love this and encourage everyone to cling onto God’s promises, grace and peace.

  5. I think you are right. I also went to a very fun youth group as a teenager and one of those kids who was the pastor‘s daughter is still my dear friend today. I am now 65 years old.Having fun as adults and doing certain things was always out of bounds in my church. No criticism there but life could be very austere.
    We both struggle with boundaries as far as being OK to have fun.
    Thank you for what you wrote, I think you are totally right!

  6. Michelle very true what you wrote. I see so many churches being geared to young people. Do things like youth club Brownies Boys and Girls Brigade. They make it interesting to go to Sunday School at at the end of the Sunday School year. They have a bus trip away for the day. It lots of fun. Parents come too. Then when or young teenaged people and young adults get to the age they are too old for theses things. They become very disinterested in most churches. As they find them boring. Going to Church on Sunday no fun as they most of them find the sermon goes over there head. It just boring. They just don’t go or want to go. Parents will not make them go. So they stay at home. This were Churches like this need to change. Some do have a youth fellowship. For young people and young adults. To try keep them focus. They need to make them interesting and fun for all young teenagers and young adults and Adults. Or you could see the teenagers and young adults. Going in the ways of the world. Finding things there move appealing. Than their own Church. They would our young teenagers and young adults tell you that. Why should I go to be board. You not blame them. So we all have to pray for our Churches that they become places that are fun for young teenagers and young adults as well as adults. So as everyone enjoys going. Have fun in them for all ages. I found Church when I came to that age that all they had for me when younger. I got to big. Couldn’t go any more. Very boring. That I didn’t go that often. It pleased me my parents were not saved and still my Father not. Didn’t go that often if at all. So that got me out of going. So I was happy. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx

  7. This was such a great reminder. We can have fun as adults in God’s word. It’s great to find others to celebrate life with. Thank you my sisters.

  8. You are so right, Michelle, and offer many possibilities for increasing the joy of the brothers and sisters around us. Laughter is highly therapeutic for body, mind, AND soul. Play on, one and all!

  9. Michelle,

    Growing up youth time was Sunday night. We started out with youth choir, then play time, supper, & finally Bible lessons. Enjoyed playing things like egg toss, dodge ball. We even had “youth week” during the summer. We would do some service tasks to help people out & also play other games. One time we played treasure hunt. We were given clues & had to be driven around to find the items. We got to know each other & have fun. People think adults can’t have fun. We have work to do, children to raise, etc. Like you said Jesus knew how to have fun. He was at a wedding & turned water into wine “just to keep the party going” as Mark Lowry says. Let’s go out & have some fun.

    Blessings 🙂