Many of you know my passion for church camp with elementary kiddos. The number of hearts that are reached and tapped into during one week of camp is simply amazing! For two summers I have been praying that Braydon's heart would be touched and that he would make a commitment to Christ. However, both summers, he didn't. This is a young man that has many questions about faith...he needs understanding...just like his dad! I knew that many seeds had been planted at camp and that I would continue to sow those seeds. Yet, I must admit, my heart was feeling defeated. I know the statistics on ages of kids accepting Christ and we were entering a crucial age...5th grade. After 5th grade, it becomes that much harder...
So, we leave camp on a Friday night....we continue to talk about camp....we continue to talk about the lessons learned...and on that Saturday night, Braydon asks if he can go to Sonrise Church the next morning. My first reaction was no, no, no...we need to be attending Emmanuel as a family...this is the church that I had just accepted a position with that week. His face melted and he walked away. My heart was heavy for Braydon...so many changes in his life right now. My emotions were flooding over with finding a way to comfort him. He really wanted to spend that Sunday morning with his counselors from camp, his friends that he was with, and of course, he wanted to wear his camp shirt to church. So, I prayed about it and told Braydon that Jeff was going to take him to Sonrise and I would attend Emmanuel with the brothers. His face lit up..."thanks mom!"
The next morning happened just like we had planned the night before. We separated and off we went. Jeff and Braydon got home before us. As I pulled into the driveway, Braydon was outside waiting for me. The brothers hopped out of the van and Braydon hopped in. He immediately says, "Mom, guess what I did today?" Uhhhh...no idea...what? "I asked Jesus to be my forever friend at church!" My head spun around, what?!?!?!?! Then the questions...Did someone pray with you? Did you tell anyone? What made you decide to do this?!?!?!?! He quietly and calmly responded..."I knew that this would be my last Sunday at Sonrise and it is like my home, mom. I knew that I needed to do this there at the church. I just prayed to myself and asked Jesus in my heart. I told someone but I don't think they heard me...mom, I felt so tingly inside...it was good." Oh my golly, I wanted to run down the street and shout the news to everyone but I wanted him to have that glory and I didn't want to be the crazy mom :) I hugged on Braydon...told him how proud I was of him...told him that this is just the beginning...so much more to come!!!
We went to lunch together as a family at O'Charley's. While waiting for our lunch, Braydon says, "mom, tell dad what I did today." No way! One of the lessons at camp is that once you make this decision, you are to go and spread the good news!!! "You tell dad, Braydon! This is exciting!!!!" It was cute to listen to Jeff...he asked the same questions as me :)
As I was seeking direction a few weeks before this event, my daily devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, stated this...
You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in My control. Instead of striving for a predictable, safe lifestyle, seek to know Me in greater depth and breadth. I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop clinging to old ways. I am always doing something new within My beloved ones. Be on the lookout for all that I have prepared for you.
That night as I sat in prayer for myself...I was thankful...truly thankful! I realized at that moment that my decision to enter ministry was truly God's path for me AND my family. Had we remained in our safe and consistent routines, I don't believe that Braydon would have felt the urgency to make this commitment to Christ.
Dear Jesus, thank you for entering my heart and filling me with peace about being separated for one Sunday at church...thank you, Jesus, for entering my sons heart, thank you for Camp Lakewood...thank you for the ministry team at Sonrise that has poured into Braydon...thank you for this amazing opportunity to enter Emmanuel and begin touching more hearts...oh dear Jesus, I am honored to call you my best friend, too! Please remain at the center of our lives...speak to us...guide us...equip us... I praise your Holy name...amen!
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