He’s consistent.
Anyway, as I said, this was my second year as a counselor. I love being a counselor, as it allows me to work directly with the kids. Unfortunately, making sure my girls completed their quiet times, answered all the questions in their lessons, recited their daily verses and got where they needed to be meant I wouldn't have time to write daily posts like when I was staff. But I didn't mind — I had a plan. I only needed to post once, and I knew exactly when I would post (the three-and-a-half hours of Free Time on Wednesday) and what I would write about (the new Gospel tool the high school campers were using for their outreach ministries on Wednesday). And this year, I had a co-counselor, so I could share responsibilities and gain more writing time.
Remember what I said about God’s consistency with teaching life lessons? Well, this year, God reminded me that our will is not always His.
Along with the daily verse requirement, campers are encouraged to review the whole week’s verses in one sitting with minimal help. The first rawhide (where the junior high girls sleep) with all cards reviewed received a prize. To encourage the girls, I asked them daily about their reviews. On Wednesday, the day I planned to write my blog over Free Time, one said she wanted to review today. She could say the first three days’ worth beautifully; but at Wednesday’s verse, her review fell apart. She clearly needed help during Free Time.
But what about my blog? This was my only chance, the time I had budgeted for. Plus, I planned to meet my husband and sisters-in-law at the go karts once before writing — our only group activity together this week. My co-counselor was also meeting family at Free Time. But this girl really wanted to review today.
I promised to help her during Free Time. Maybe she could finish in the hour before the go karts opened, then I could write as planned.
At Free Time, the girl and I paced the main path, her studying and me waiting until she wanted to try. We discussed the verses where she struggled, I offered memory tricks, she studied and then she tried again. We practiced the whole hour, and she still wasn't quite there. So, she practiced with another leader as I met my family, but as soon as I finished at the go karts, we began working together again.
I never touched my laptop, and she never quite finished. Neither of us had met our goal for the day. Knowing my chance for the week was gone, I told her to get a good night’s rest, and we’ll try again tomorrow. She smiled big and agreed.
The next morning, she reviewed on her first try, and her joy at her hard-earned accomplishment dispelled any disappointment I had of missing my own goal. I found out later that she reviewed during the only chance she had, as she was leaving a night early.
In Romans 12:1-2, Thursday’s verses, we’re urged to be “living sacrifices” for God. We’re also called to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV). My plan, even though it was to share a new Gospel tool, was not God’s perfect will. God called me to sacrifice my article and help this girl understand God’s Word and grow in her faith.
For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.
Anyway, as I said, this was my second year as a counselor. I love being a counselor, as it allows me to work directly with the kids. Unfortunately, making sure my girls completed their quiet times, answered all the questions in their lessons, recited their daily verses and got where they needed to be meant I wouldn't have time to write daily posts like when I was staff. But I didn't mind — I had a plan. I only needed to post once, and I knew exactly when I would post (the three-and-a-half hours of Free Time on Wednesday) and what I would write about (the new Gospel tool the high school campers were using for their outreach ministries on Wednesday). And this year, I had a co-counselor, so I could share responsibilities and gain more writing time.
Remember what I said about God’s consistency with teaching life lessons? Well, this year, God reminded me that our will is not always His.
Along with the daily verse requirement, campers are encouraged to review the whole week’s verses in one sitting with minimal help. The first rawhide (where the junior high girls sleep) with all cards reviewed received a prize. To encourage the girls, I asked them daily about their reviews. On Wednesday, the day I planned to write my blog over Free Time, one said she wanted to review today. She could say the first three days’ worth beautifully; but at Wednesday’s verse, her review fell apart. She clearly needed help during Free Time.
But what about my blog? This was my only chance, the time I had budgeted for. Plus, I planned to meet my husband and sisters-in-law at the go karts once before writing — our only group activity together this week. My co-counselor was also meeting family at Free Time. But this girl really wanted to review today.
I promised to help her during Free Time. Maybe she could finish in the hour before the go karts opened, then I could write as planned.
At Free Time, the girl and I paced the main path, her studying and me waiting until she wanted to try. We discussed the verses where she struggled, I offered memory tricks, she studied and then she tried again. We practiced the whole hour, and she still wasn't quite there. So, she practiced with another leader as I met my family, but as soon as I finished at the go karts, we began working together again.
I never touched my laptop, and she never quite finished. Neither of us had met our goal for the day. Knowing my chance for the week was gone, I told her to get a good night’s rest, and we’ll try again tomorrow. She smiled big and agreed.
The next morning, she reviewed on her first try, and her joy at her hard-earned accomplishment dispelled any disappointment I had of missing my own goal. I found out later that she reviewed during the only chance she had, as she was leaving a night early.
In Romans 12:1-2, Thursday’s verses, we’re urged to be “living sacrifices” for God. We’re also called to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV). My plan, even though it was to share a new Gospel tool, was not God’s perfect will. God called me to sacrifice my article and help this girl understand God’s Word and grow in her faith.
For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.
