Ruth Schoenleben
I was a confident teenager caught between the world of adults and the world of teens. I almost always hung out with people older than myself. I was ready to grow up—maybe faster than most of my peers, but not because anyone was forcing me to grow up. I wanted to be an adult and tried to make adult choices.
I lead youth meetings in my home (mostly Bible studies) without the presence of adults. I never stopped to think that I needed them to be there. Kids came to me for advice and prayer. I also started and sang in a musical group that traveled around the state singing and speaking to youth and adult groups. Again, I never thought about the fact that maybe adults should travel with us. We went, we sang, we came home.
I worked in the family business and often performed tasks that would in other businesses would have been done by an experienced adult. And I went with my father to nursing homes where I played the piano and sang.
I was in the concert choir and some after-school clubs. I liked school, but I really wanted to get to college (which I did do a semester early).
My path was not one of “wow, from whence you came,” but one of quietness, confidence and support.
I think I went forward with so many of my endeavors because I had been raised by a loving family—including LOTS of extended family members—who expected me to do well. It wasn’t “expected” in a pressure sort of way, but “expected” in a natural sort of way. Life wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t struggle at home or in school in any significant way.
Besides family, I had great youth leaders and teachers. I was always supported by caring adults. I’m certain none of the people in my life when I was 15 had heard about “developmental assets” or consciously went to work to be one of the “caring adults” in my life. They just WERE.
I know I am blessed to have such a heritage and to be able to pass that heritage to my children and future grandchildren
My career choices are more “who I am” than “than what I do.” I lead, I teach; I guide. I am a friend; I am an encourager; I am a pastor. This career path into the non-profit world was a natural one. I was raised to serve because I was so blessed with those who modeled a servant spirit. I like who I am and what I do.
