Baseball Bat Game

Young Life leaders held a baseball bat upright. Campers took turns putting their foreheads on it and turned in circles. Then crowds of young people laughed as they wove and stumbled around. 

            The special needs friends participated in various games on the field with help from their buddies. Several needed a little assistance but a few required more help.

            Buddies for one girl made sure she could play the game despite her wheelchair. Friends cheered as they pushed her wheelchair over the bumpy grass to the bat. Another friend held the bat upright so they could circle it with her wheelchair. Her arms and legs didn’t allow her to touch the bat or run, but her caring friends didn’t leave her out. 

            The grin on her face showed us she felt included and loved. Her friends laughed and cheered.Those watching saw the love of Jesus in the leaders, buddies, and special friends. 

            For the weekend, each Capernaum camper received love and acceptance in a significant way as they experienced a wonderful time with new and old friends. 

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. (Isaiah 40: 29 NKJV)

Heavenly Father, thank you for each of your children. Whether they are strong or weak, they can love and teach each other. Amen

Capernaum is a part of the ministry of Young Life that reaches special needs young people. 

Genuine Love

Lifts lowered wheelchairs to the ground. Special friends departed busses and vans. Camp staff lined the sidewalk and cheered arriving campers. Every special needs young person came with a buddy for the weekend. 

            Young people from all over Florida, came to Young Life’s Capernaum camp. Some traveled for hours to spend a wonderful weekend nestled in the Ocala National Forest. Adult leaders, college and high school students gave up a long weekend to serve and love unconditionally their friends.  For three days, I marveled at the dedication of the buddies and how they tirelessly helped those who often are rejected by society. The joy and smiles of each friend and buddy touched my heart over and over. 

            The first evening during the carnival, music played. Dancers jammed the area. Games and popcorn added to the festivities. Plates of whipped cream went onto leaders’ faces. Excitement filled the air. 

            My eight-year-old granddaughter, Molly, and her friend worked at the tattoo table. Each person selected a unicorn tattoo. The young girls held wet paper towels over each tattoo while the line lengthened. 

            The line grew longer and longer so I started helping out. One young man picked out a tattoo from the designs I showed him. While I held the paper towel on his arm, he looked at me tenderly.  Without a word, he placed his hand over mine until the tattoo was secure. Tears pricked my eyes. 

            Though I was there to help him, his touch of kindness soothed my heart. He never spoke but continued to smile. Then he was gone and off for more fun. 

            That evening began three days of love and service. Instead of listening to news filled with horrible events, I witnessed genuine love and acceptance. 

Most of all friends, always rejoice in the Lord. I never tire of saying rejoice. Rejoice! Keep your gentle nature so that all people will know what it looks like to walk in His footsteps. (Philippians 4: 4 The Voice)

Loving Father, thank you for loving interactions between widely different people. All precious in your sight. Amen

            

            

Melting and Molding the Pieces

Eternal One, my True God I cried out to You for help. You mended the shattered tpieces of my life, You lifted me from the grave with a mighty hand, gave me another chance, and saved me from joining those in that dreadfulpit. 

(Psalm 30: 2-3 The Voice)

Two hours in the dental chair with multiple needles to numb my mouth. Pulling and pulling to remove the cracked crown. Gooey impressions and then, a temporary crown. Even though my dentist and her assistant tried to make the visit as pain free as possible, the whole process was stressful.

            Before I left the office, a small plastic bag was put into my hand. I looked down to see pieces of my fragmented, gold crown. 

            For a few days, the remnants remained in my car. Then I decided to see how much the gold was worth. 

            I walked into a small but attractive jewelry store. Sparkling rings, watches, necklaces and bracelets filled the glass cases. 

            “Do you buy gold?” I asked a man behind the counter.

            “Yes,” he said. 

            Instead of pulling out a long chain or fancy ring, I handed him my broken crown. 

            “Does it have a tooth in it?” he asked as a latex glove went onto his hand.

            “No.” How disgusting that would have been.

            The jeweler determined the quality and weight. After checking the current price of gold, he determined what he would pay me. 

            Though not a large amount, I bought my lunch with enough left for a second meal. 

            The damaged pieces of my crown will be melted down to form something of more value. Perhaps it will be part of a ring, necklace or bracelet to give joy to someone.

            Those pieces reminded me of broken lives that appear damaged beyond repair and worthless. But God can take shattered lives and make them into ones that are beautiful and valuable.  

            The melting process can be painful and heartbreaking. Several times in my life while dealing with divorce, a rebellious child, and death, I felt like nothing worthwhile could come from the sorrow. However, during the refining process, God remained close to heal, form and lead me in a new direction. 

Creator, thank you for molding broken pieces into something worthwhile. Amen

Celebrate each day

Yesterday ‘s gorgeous web and only one strand left today. What happened? There was no storm or brisk wind but it is gone. As I read my devotions today, I read Psalm 90 which reminded me that we don’t know how many days we have. Like my spider web, life is fleeting and can change instantly. 

Psalm 90: 12 and 14. The Voice. Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom. With every sun’s rising, surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness. Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive.