A Brief Departure

Last week was a departure from the everyday as I stepped into a role that excites me - speaker. One had cancelled at Gull Lake camp and I was asked if I could fill in. I was elated to accept.

I knew I would have to set a precedent for the week in order to get and hold my audience's attention - 7 to 10 years old. It was within 24 hours that I became the, 'lady with the smarties'. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I would be under-selling my success by saying they just liked it. Instead, I had captured the enthusiasm and willingness of a young group which I thought would be difficult to harness. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The jumping up and down motion followed by the occasional, "Pick me! Pick me!" was a clear giveaway that the kids were more than happy to be there. By Wednesday morning, I had already received a random hug from a little boy and buckets of smiles to fill my own bucket.

My heart was filling up with love faster than I knew what to do with that love. So, I smiled back, gave high fives, and engaged in all kinds of conversations that only a 7 to 10 year old would appreciate.

By Thursday, I was getting a bit nervous, because even though I had been presenting object lessons in line with my teachings (the fruit of the Spirit) and getting kids to read the paired Scripture, I had never revealed the telling of the Gospel through a visual picture story.

Yet, the desire to tell these children about the incredible man of Jesus, blew every nervous cell clear out of me, being replaced by excitement. My moment came. I began with a fun activity that had everyone reciting the fruit of the Spirit and their respective hand signals, with three precocious volunteers leading the charge. Their reward for participating? You guessed it - smarties.

On to the story board. I wanted the message to penetrate deeply into each heart, whether Christian or not, so I spoke slowly and deliberately. At some points came comments of disbelief to what I was saying. I thanked God for the response.

By the time I was done, it felt as though forever had passed and I closed with an invitation for anyone to receive Jesus by praying the salvation prayer - whether out loud or in their hearts. I never thought any more about it until I closed the session.

Little ones came to me. Most of them little girls. One saying she knew Jesus and others just wanting a hug. However, the tone of the interactions changed with two particular girls. I have changed their names due to not securing their parent's permission prior to sharing this. Sally came first.  She walked confidently up to me and said, "I prayed the prayer!", while a glowing smile now adorned her face. I shook her hand and welcomed her to the family, followed by a hug.

Jane came next and she had a concerned look on her face. She said that she had a 'trouble' and was wondering if I might be able to help her with it. "Of course!", I replied. She continued, saying,"If I'm to pray with all my heart, how do I know I have?"

I asked her if she meant every word she said of the prayer and after a couple seconds she confirmed, "I think so." I told her that she now had Jesus in her heart. Words could not describe the relief now painted all over her face as she smiled, excitedly, and threw her arms around me in the best hug I have ever received. As she hugged me she said,"Thank you!"

I then prayed that she would quickly leave the building, which she did. I held it together for a few seconds before falling to pieces. Every doubt I had of my ability as a speaker last week, every second guess I displayed about my material, all erased as I watched a sweet little girl bound out of the chapel having Jesus firmly planted in her heart. Each incompetency I had listed about myself earlier in the week - gone.

I had just witnessed the movement of a perfect and loving God in a precious young girl, through the power of the Holy Spirit. I could have died right then, on the cold and dirty floor of that chapel, knowing absolute perfection.

Encouragement for the week:

If you ever question your abilities, stop right now, because there are moments in time, that you least expect, will set your heart on a new trajectory. Do whatever it is you're doing with all your heart's love, expecting nothing in return. You may just taste perfection.

If you are a Christian reading this, God has given us each gifts and talents He desires us to implement for His glory. Never underestimate the power of obedience in executing those gifts and talents.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. He can do anything, at any time, in anyone. If you think He doesn't know where you're at, think again and leave the door of your heart unlocked and ajar.