One of the realities of running a summer arts day camp is that, no matter how many kids you have, you have to have an adequate number of adults to staff the endeavor. God has graciously provided in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. For instance, there is a lady in our church who drives about 1 1/2 hours to weekend services. She has been very friendly to me but I don’t know her well, so when she told me she wanted to help with the camp I assumed she was impressed by the vision or wanted to be with the kids.
Then I found out she had rented a hotel room for three nights in order to be here. Woah. That cost her some money – especially in our area in the summer. I felt kind of bad because I knew she was a new widow, but still working, and I hoped that her volunteering wasn’t putting her in any financial straits. However, I didn’t say anything – just was that much extra grateful for her sacrifice of time (and resources) for the camp. She has enjoyed these camp days, helping with visual art projects and corralling campers, always with a smile on her face. And she’s told me several times how much fun she’s having.
Today I heard a bit of why she decided to do this.
Her husband passed away in the winter. This week is the week they always took for vacation. She told me she was doing the camp as her vacation – to have something fun to do. I assume it was also to help ease the memories of their vacations together. My heart broke – and smiled all the more deeply at how God used an idea for a camp to help minister to the grieving heart of a widow.
Unexpected blessings.
You never know what God is weaving together to help someone – or what part you might play.
God,
Today we are grateful for the ways in which you use us, even when we didn’t expect it. Thank you for your grace in times of need and for hope poured out in ways that only you can orchestrate. Thank you for your sovereignty in all aspects of our lives, and for your love for each of us.
Amen.
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” (Jeremiah 17:7 NLT)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)