MADMINISTER.COM

Don't be surprised, no matter what they say… always be understanding; don't compound the problem by showing disdain or disappointment.
Don't be surprised when Mrs. Hanson tells you that Billy looks up to you… that he thinks the world of you and that she doesn't have to fight him to get him to go to Sunday School anymore. Just smile and nod humbly, remembering Billy's last outburst of "hero-worship;" and the twenty minutes it took you and him to clean up all the "Silly String."
Don't be surprised when you have to strain yourself to not throw Jeremy out of your "Sunday School" class. You can see that; #1 he's playing with those action figures during your lesson just to get a rise out of you, #2 he's getting away with it because he's one of your favorite kids, and #3 he's the Pastor's oldest son, so you don't want to have to throw him out anyway.
Don't be surprised when you put your arm around Suzanne's shoulder and give her a gentle hug of affirmation, but are careful to follow the "three-second rule" (to avoid any misunderstandings on the teenage girl's part - they tend to get "crushes" easily). You've been to more than enough camps, retreats and conferences where that has been taught and reviewed.
Don't be surprised when you answer your phone at 11:37 PM, only to find that it's Stephanie and her friends calling to wish you a Happy New Year… for the tenth time.
Don't be surprised to feel your heart racing because you arrived at the office to find that Jeremy was taken to the hospital with severely painful appendicitis the day before. Feel a tear come to your eye as the secretaries tell you that he has been asking for only you since he came out of the operation. Quickly find directions to the hospital on Yahoo.com and then race over there in your beat-up 1992 Ford Thunderbird. Arrive at his room to find the Pastor sitting at a chair next to the bed where Jeremy is laying. Smile as you see Jeremy's goofy grin spread across his face and watch the mischievous twinkle re-appear in his eyes. Walk over, shake hands with the Pastor and then sit down on the edge of the bed and hand over a small Beanie Baby (a gift from the kids because they said it looked like you) to keep him company. Stay a while and just sit with him, not needing to say anything.
Don't be surprised, as you watch the wind blow through the trees down by the lake, when John, while crying softly, tells you that his father hit him. Don't be surprised at the pain that this young man felt. Put your arm around him and just sit with him for a while… words are meaningless right now. Tell him that he is loved and then pray with him, all the while knowing that this is only the beginning of this problem.
Don't be surprised when you try to talk to Katherine about her attitude, only to have her turn and flounce away, not having heard a word that was said. Talk to her mother, knowing that the words are going in one ear and out the other but still, keep trying.
Don't be surprised when you have to argue, in vain, with the Church Finance Committee over the extra $500 that you need for a youth event. Go back to your office and begin reworking the budget to get the most out of what you do have to work with.
Don't be surprised when it feels like you heart is being ripped out because the time has come to move on to another church and another group of teenagers after investing two years of your life in this group. Smile for the kids and stay as long as possible, but still feel horrible when Eric, upset and crying, walks away and won't talk to you.
The next Sunday, in a barren church hallway, tell him to stop walking away and turn and face you. Tell him that this is not the last time he will ever see you and that you do love him. Take him to lunch after the service and tell him that you will still be around, sometimes, and that he will love the new Youth Minister even more than he does you.
Don't be surprised when you remember that week during the summer when his mother, crying and frustrated, called you and asked for your help in dealing with his rebelliousness. Don't be surprised when you can recall the various and creative dirty looks he gave you as you "cracked the whip" on him by making him scrub dirty walls in the nursery. Recall the laughter the two of you shared as you decorated a meeting room for the children's "Vacation Bible School."
Remember, with fondness, all the good times you had with this group as you pack your things, turn in your keys and pager and walk out the office door.
Don't be surprised when that single, solitary tear slips down your cheek and you miss them terribly.
Don't be surprised when you put your chin up and walk into the room full of new kids, your new kids… and the rush of eager, young faces brings a smile to your face. Don't be surprised.