There have been many times in my life where I have been at a lost for words. If you know me...that is a miracle in itself.
I always have something clever to say.
Normally...something sarcastic and witty thanks to many of my friends who are that way.
Sometimes I have something deep and meaningful with a paragraph of explanation attached and underlying meanings.
Rarely...occasionally...do I find myself blindsided by an outside force.
Consider me blind.
This week left me astounded.
This week at camp was the senior high week. High school teens come and by Thursday they get it. This week was a little different. We had a smaller group come. Some may look at that as a bad thing, as do I sometimes considering I work for the camp. I quickly had my opinion changed. I saw from Sunday night that this smaller sized group was perfect. The campers were divided up into teams by gender and then again by their grade. The first night at their small group meetings I sat back and watched. They laughed, cried, prayed...on SUNDAY NIGHT PEOPLE. The next night was the first night of official worship. Normally at camp it takes a few days for everyone to realize that this is the time that you are supposed to pour your heart out and release control.
He was present and it was evident.
I stood amazed at the hearts beginning to soften, at the sound of the voices being lifted up, and for the lives that were about to be changed.
Including my own.
Each day after that was even more incredible.
The last night I was able to join my best friend and a few others in the band in leading the final night of worship. If you have ever been to camp you know this is where the tears flow, the decisions are made, and His presence is felt by every person in the room no matter how hard you try and hold onto the control and comfort-zone you had.
Looking out in the crowd that was singing, lifting their hands, and pouring their hearts (and tears) was...astounding. I tried to remain in my own zone and not be distracted, but that was impossible if you saw what I saw.
To the girl that has a broken heart because her dad is battling cancer and does not have but a few days left to live.
To the guy who has to fight for everything he has including the clothes on his back.
To another camper who has come so far in her life from being abused and left wrecked.
To the counselor who feels like she is not the best Christian in her day-to-day life.
To the camper who has been picked on to the point to where she feels like her life is insignificant and fears He does not know her name anymore.
To the dude who experienced Jesus for the first time this week.
To the three who were baptized and accepted the Lord as their personal savior and accepted the free gift of Grace and forgiveness.
To the camp staff who struggles to decide what she is going to do with her life but knows she wants to make a difference.
I stood on that stage and sang my heart out and I think that there is one word for all of this that brings it all together.
Amen.(sorry for the video quality)
And to myself. Who at the beginning of the week struggled to keep myself above the waves, am finding myself walking on the waters, hopefully being lead without boarders, wherever You are calling me.
Amen.
My favorite song that we sang this week is called You Make Me Brave by Bethel Music. If you have not heard it I think it fits perfect for every person in the room this week. It goes like this...
"I stand before You now
The greatness of your renown
I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you
King of Heaven, in humility, I bow
As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in
I have heard You calling my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace
Into Your grace
You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way
You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVg9ShqUj2I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVg9ShqUj2I
I Thank you for making me, us brave. For calling us beyond the shores. For being for us and not against us. And for making us a way with whatever baggage we have to carry to enter into your Grace and into your kingdom.
Thank you.
Amen.
Thank you.
Amen.
I just wanted to say how awesome this week of camp was. I was astounded as well. I had the privilege of having the same group of girls plus two new ones as I had last year. Because we knew each other we were able to go deeper in our group times. We were also able to focus on the two new girls. We all sat in tears as one of them shared her story. She had been raped and suffered from anerexia and belemia and she also was a cutter. Long story short they suspect that the person who raped her was her step dad but they have no proof. She has to live with this man and her mom and see him every day. I listened as many of our girls shared advice and even prayed for her. I sat there with no words in amazement how God was using these girls who were only tenth graders to minister and encourage their fellow piers. This girl was admiring my tattoos and she told me she wanted one to cover up her cutting scars. It would say "I almost gave up but God gave me hope". That really stuck with me. No matter how bad you think your life is there is always someone going through something worse. I just held her as she cried and let all the hurt, anger and sadness out. Any time I feel like giving up I will always think of her and that will help me hold on. These girls ministered me as much as I ministered to them. I was able to share some hurts that I thought I was healed from. But as I shared them I realized that the hurt was still there. One of the girls came up to me after and just hugged me and told me it was ok to let it out. I sat and listened as two of the girls set up a group time after service on wed and invited the whole girls dorm. They turned out the light and said this is a safe place where you can share anything that you are struggling with or anything God has layed on your heart. I listened to so many stories of the struggles that they were going through. I only listened. The two girls lead the entire group in encouraging and even praying to end the session . I was proud and in awe that God was using these girls who were only in tenth grade to minister to their peers. I just want to say what an awesome person you are. You are exactly where God wants you to be. I see the passion that you have for working with and ministering to these teens and kids. I am so glad to have good friends like you who are passionate about teenagers and kids. Thanks for accepting me into the camp family. Now you will be forever stuck with me hahaha!!!!!! Love ya dude!! Can't wait till next year!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment Lori. I appreciate your constant love and prayer for the camp and the people that come in the gates. Thank you for being you, and for being a great friend.
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