I am working with a 17 year old kid right now.    This kid is a true work of art.  A village boy, thief, addict, abuse from family, tried cutting his wrists, spews mean stuff out of his mouth, walks around with demons hanging on him, attitude the size of florida, sexual problems…etc.  Although he is a pill,  we believe he has made a commitment to Jesus.  Never-the-less, I have found myself groveling before God with what to do.  I have cried over this kid and I love him so much, it even shocks me.  I don’t know what I see in this kid but I absolutely yearn for him to move into the future I see for him.  I pray for him constantly, talk with him daily, and have him spend the night in our home once a week.  And yes, I have been completely burnt out with him and almost felt a bit of depression.  My kids have suffered a bit at the cost of discipling him and this tears me apart.  I am constantly asking the question “where is the balance?”  My family and kids come first.  I don’t think steve and I have found the magic formula yet but we are walking forward in God’s strength, and doing our best to use wisdom and have boundaries.  We have done absolutely everything for this kid and yet he continues to push me and down right piss me off on purpose.  I just look at him and think “what the hell?”  I don’t get this kid…..and I know deep inside he is testing me to see just how far the love and grace will go before it runs dry.  Because he has proven his idiotic theory with his family and friends and teachers.  He has taken rejection upon himself.   I have the power of Jesus love living in me.  I have the authority of Christ over demons.  I have God’s anointing and favor to set captives free.  I hold the truth.  I embrace the forgiveness of the cross so that I am able to extend it to others.  I know who I am, and I know who I belong to.  I know the mission that Jesus has commissioned me to.  I know it is life and limitless and eternal.  I know love doesn’t have any conditions.  It just loves!