More than Enough

I got back from camp yesterday.
It was a very interesting week, to say the least! Spending five days with 13 kids all under the age of 13 tends to give new insight to just about every situation!

I noticed something very interesting, people prayed for the weather to be "not too hot". So God answered with much cooler temps. How did He answer? With rain, much needed rain!
So, then the people complained because it was raining.
Once the rain stopped, the complaints of it being too hot started up again!
What's up with that? God answered the prayers of His people, He gave them what they asked for, yet they still weren't satisfied!

It reminds me of the Israelite's. They complained about the way they were treated, so God moved them; but then they complained because the journey was taking too long. They complained they were hungry, so God provided food; yet they complain because it's the same thing day after day! (just to name a couple!) Unfortunately, such is life. God provides yet we, HIS Children, don't appreciate! God is our Great Provider,He gives freely and we take, and take, and take. But, what do we give back? Too often it's complaints that it wasn't exactly what we asked for, or it wasn't enough, or someone got better or more than us.

Last week at camp I re-learned something that I hope to NEVER forget again... God is ALWAYS ENOUGH!
In the words of Chris Tomlin...

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need 

You satisfy me with Your love 

And all I have in You is more than enough

The last night of worship at camp Matt, the camp pastor, gave us a index card and pencil. He told us to write something on the card that worried us, scared us, upset us... you get the point. Then he had us place it on the floor. He began his message for the evening ...

• Moses went from a baby in a basket ...
• to the Prince of Egypt who had everything he could ever want ...
• to a shepherd - who to some looked like he had lost everything, 
• yet in reality he now had everything!

In every difficult situation that Moses found himself in, God was there - providing more than enough! After the message Matt asked us to hold our card in our hands. He asked us if we believed, truly believed that God was enough to handle the situation that we had written - if yes, his said to tear the card up into pieces and throw it on the floor. I did and what a freeing experience it was!

As I sat there looking at the kids that were with me, I saw tears and sadness. I saw them take their cards and tear them up and throw them on the floor. I then started thinking about the other 500 kids in the room and I wondered, what do 10-13 year olds have in their life that they need God to be enough for?
God very quickly gave me answers:

• Divorce
• Parents fighting at home
• Mental & Verbal abuse
• Physical & sexual abuse
• Self-hate & lack of self confidence
• Parents with serious illnesses
• Parents who have passed away
• Physical disabilities
• Mental disabilities
• Being Bullied
• Parents who give more negative than positive attention
• I could go on and on and on and on...   

My heart breaks for them.  God's heart breaks too.
So I guess my question to you would be... What are you holding on to? Do you need to write it on an index card, pray for God to be more than enough, tear it up and throw it on the floor?
Well, what are you waiting for?
Daddy God, the Creator of the Universe, the One who calls me His masterpiece,
Thank you for all you have given me; the blessings because they are more than I ever could have ever imagined and the afflictions because they are so much less than I deserve. Whenever I start to complain, Lord, please remind me of this camp experience. Help me to see You in all situations and to be grateful that in each and every one You are more than enough for me. I love you and I want to bring glory and honor to your name!

I Remember When...

Last week was Vacation Bible School at my church and it was great! The Big Apple Adventure was indeed an adventure. As I sit here, still pretty exhausted, reflecting on the week I can't help but think back to the days when I went to VBS as a child. (yes, they had it way back then!)

I remember when...

... we had Vacation Bible School parades.

... our VBS snack was butter cookies (that we wore like rings on our fingers), and Kool-aid.

... the craft was a week long project and we usually needed cigar boxes, macaroni and gold spray paint.

... the songs were simple, there wasn't a theme - and as for the decorations... none! 

... we had the sit down and stand up chords.

... nothing competed with VBS week - it seemed like the world came to a screeching halt. 

... the aisle at church the Sunday after VBS was flooded with kids who had accepted Christ during week. 

I also remember when...

... we never asked "Are we going to church tomorrow?" because we already knew the answer.

... we never left for Sunday School without our Bible and offering envelope in our hands.

... we had to miss "The Wonderful World of Disney" because it always came on Sunday night while we were at church.

... we had to eat lunch at grandma's because restaurants weren't open, but we didn't mind because after we ate we'd go outside and play with the cousins.

... kids didn't know what it meant to be bored.

...we had lemonade stands in the front yard and sold it for a nickel a glass.

... Sunday's were devoted to family and church.

... God and church came first.

I remember life seemed so simple back then. (my parents might disagree!) Summertime was all about chasing fireflies, playing in the sprinkler, riding our bikes, family vacations, visiting relatives who lived far away, & playing outside until it was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

Those were the days... 

WOW, I sound really OLD!!! Maybe so, but I wonder what happened? 

Why does the world think that MORE of this and BIGGER that, is BETTER?                                            Is it really? 

Are people happier today than they were back then? Does busy equal happy? 

Do you ever wish you could just take a day off from the busyness?

Psalm 46:10 says; Be still and know I am God. 

When was the last time you sat down, alone, in a quiet place, and you were still before God? I mean really spend time with Him - not just  a few seconds with a 911 prayers, but earnestly and passionately seeking time with Him. God has something for us and sometimes our lives are so busy and loud that we forget to be still and listen for His whisper. 

I want to be still. I want to listen. I want to hear you Lord.