After directing them to the ushers, I smile at the two quarters shining in the boy's hand as he makes sure to give his fifty cents to Camp before he heads off to Sunday School. All that is left is for me to offer a prayer of wonder and thanks to our God who has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of his ministry to his kids.
Recently, I have been so thankful and impressed with the generosity of the kids we serve. I have had the privilege of thanking a six year old PeeWee camper for passing on his Birthday money on to Camp. "I already had so many great presents, and I wanted to give the money somewhere that God could really use it."
Two different campers raised money for Camp using our cookie dough fundraiser, and then decided instead of keeping the money for themselves, they would allow us to put it into our campership program so that other kids could come to camp. It is simply great to be served by the children of God.
We work hard here at Camp, and it can be easy to just keep working and not even to pay attention to all the ways that God is blessing us. But when I look around and pay attention to all the appreciation that is shown to us, and all the work that is done to support and encourage the ministry that happens here, I am speechless (except that I immediately journal about it).
So many people are excited to gather with their friends for retreats and to share our songs at their churches. So many people make Camp a part of their plan to walk with Christ. But even more amazing is that so many people are thanking God for the work that is done here. What a blessing it is to be a part of his Body.
This reminds me of Paul's encouragement to the Corinthians:
"This service that
you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also
overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will
praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the
gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with
everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
-2 Corinthians 9:12-15
It is great to be moved by the small gifts given by children. Perhaps it is because I know that I could not possibly deserve such pure love, freely given. And God has made clear the punishment that i really do deserve. And in the middle of the sad reality my sinfulness, I think about the Gift that the Child of Christmas came to give. How blessed we are to have such hope in Christ!
"You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
-Psalm 30:11-12
Thanks be to God for sending us a child that could give us an unfathomable gift. There isn't a way that we can even grasp the fullness of the love that God is and that he pours out on us. I pray that he helps me simply thank him like a boy with a couple quarters.
