This past week, I had the blessing of being the church group host for an amazing church from Georgia. When I met them on Monday, I knew that the Lord was going to do amazing things through them this week. I had no clue that he would bless me so much by being apart of it.
The other night, I asked for prayers for a little girl in my church group, but I couldn't give many details. Well, that fourth grader's mom had cancer. She had found out that her mom had cancer the previous year at CentriKid, so she was already feeling guilty about leaving her sick mom. Well, Tuesday around lunch, we found out that her mom had died. Because of situations and being seven hours from home, the little girl hadn't found out yet and wouldn't find out until Thursday morning when her dad came to get her.
I was with the church group on Thursday when they were told. It was one of the most beautiful things in my life seeing a group of 20-something kids encouraging and hugging their friend who was in a lot of pain.
Difficult things stink. And we don't know why they happen.
I hate that this verse has kind of become a cliche, but Proverbs 3:5-6 blatantly points out that we're not going to understand things. We just have to trust in the Lord with all of our heart.
God has a reason for this little girl having to go through this. He had a reason for her being at camp and not at home with her family.
Trust Him.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Florida is Hot; God is Faithful
Hello friends!
Wow! The past two weeks in St. Petersburg Florida has flown by. CentriKid in Florida is a completely different experience. These weeks have rocked my world, but they haven't been the easiest.
Let's just say that when it is near 100 degrees, sweat is spraying from every pore, and skin is permanently sunburn, it's not the easiest location to have energy for recreation and outdoor activities. Not to mention, my Bible Study room was a good five minute hike from where most camp things happened. So in the hot sun, with kids always complaining, and with my selfish self, it became easy to forget what I was doing this for and focus on the negative.
During week one, I was extremely sick with a sinus infection. I couldn't talk, I didn't feel like getting out of bed, and my throat felt like I was swallowing nails. During this time, I found a verse that pushed me through. This verse was like the caffeine that kept me awake when all I wanted to do was sleep.
Isaiah 41:10: "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
This verse has been my rock the entire summer. That first week, I shared it with a few of my fellow staff members. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing servants of the Lord. Emily Godby often reminds me of that verse, and I am so thankful.
We can't do anything on our own, and if we try, it's going to fail. If we rely on our own strength, we're going to become weak. If we rely on our own abilities, the final product is going to be lacking.
God has taught me that so clearly this summer and is continuing to shape that part in my life.
We have already been through five cycles of camp. Cycle 6 starts Monday in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. I cannot believe that we are already halfway through. Thank you all so much for your prayers and hit me up to keep me updated on your life!
1 Thessalonians 5:24
-Micheal
Wow! The past two weeks in St. Petersburg Florida has flown by. CentriKid in Florida is a completely different experience. These weeks have rocked my world, but they haven't been the easiest.
Let's just say that when it is near 100 degrees, sweat is spraying from every pore, and skin is permanently sunburn, it's not the easiest location to have energy for recreation and outdoor activities. Not to mention, my Bible Study room was a good five minute hike from where most camp things happened. So in the hot sun, with kids always complaining, and with my selfish self, it became easy to forget what I was doing this for and focus on the negative.
During week one, I was extremely sick with a sinus infection. I couldn't talk, I didn't feel like getting out of bed, and my throat felt like I was swallowing nails. During this time, I found a verse that pushed me through. This verse was like the caffeine that kept me awake when all I wanted to do was sleep.
Isaiah 41:10: "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
This verse has been my rock the entire summer. That first week, I shared it with a few of my fellow staff members. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing servants of the Lord. Emily Godby often reminds me of that verse, and I am so thankful.
We can't do anything on our own, and if we try, it's going to fail. If we rely on our own strength, we're going to become weak. If we rely on our own abilities, the final product is going to be lacking.
God has taught me that so clearly this summer and is continuing to shape that part in my life.
We have already been through five cycles of camp. Cycle 6 starts Monday in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. I cannot believe that we are already halfway through. Thank you all so much for your prayers and hit me up to keep me updated on your life!
1 Thessalonians 5:24
-Micheal
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