I'm often struck that we see only the present. It's very difficult to look to the future and imagine what the Lord has in store. I know that I often tend to give up if things don't seem to be going well, or if I'm not seeing the result I expect.
This past week two families from Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro joined our team to do a day camp for families. As well as working at the camp, the group from Central attended Coffee House. This is a ministry designed to allow us to meet people with the purpose of developing a friendship and sharing the gospel. We advertise free coffee, tea, and English conversation. We also have some type of entertainment to help guide conversation. This week's entertainment was Stacey Johnson and her son Nate who sang and played the guitar.
Nate is the same age as our son Ben, and they have been friends since we moved to Jonesboro in 2003. Nate and Ben are similar in many ways, and they are really the inspiration for this post. After Stacey and Nate had sung a few songs, Nate and Ben were planning to sing, with Nate on the guitar and Ben on harmonica. I must admit that I was very impressed and proud of these two young men. I was amazed to see them perform together. As I sat watching them I saw two images. The first one was before me, two young men singing and playing their instruments. The second image was of two 7 year old boys both talking so much and so fast that neither could hear what the other was saying.
I won't speak for Nate, but I know that Ben tried the patience of many Sunday School, RA, VBS, choir...teachers over the years. Perhaps neither they nor I imagined the day Ben and Nate would minister together, but the Lord did. So if you find yourself working with children and at your wits end over a child, remember that God knows the plans He has, and it's beyond what we are capable of imagining. Just persevere. God is an amazing God, we really should plan to be amazed!
I thank God for those of you who are faithful each week in teaching children how to love and serve our great God.
