Today’s memory is one of my most treasured memories, one that brings me joy and peace and assurance that I WILL one day see my sweet little man again.
In June 2005, I taught at Jr. Camp at the Westfork Free Will Baptist Youth Camp. Sam, Noah, Rachel and I all spent at fun-filled week there. Camp was always one of our favorite places to go. The kids were doted on because they were pretty much the youngest ones there. Jr. Camp was supposed to be for children who had completed 1st through 6th grade. In 2005, at the time of camp, Sam was about to enter first grade. This was not his first time at camp, however. I had worked at camp for the last few years. So this made Sam an experienced camper and he behaved like such a big kid all week. This was Noah’s first year to go, though. Sam enjoyed showing him the “ropes” and he did a good job of looking out for “little brother” through-out the week He made new friends and learned many new things. He also had fun catching up with friends, young and old, that he had made from years past. There were many highlights to the week.
The biggest night of camp, though, was always the last night when there was a huge bon-fire. Roscoe even drove down from Wichita Falls for the evening to attend the evening worship service and bonfire with us. The bonfire was a time when the kids would sing lots of silly songs, followed by praise and worship. The kids were also be given a chance to share things from the week- fun memories and life changing moments were celebrated. After many of the kids had shared, Sam kept saying he had one more thing to say, just one more thing… When finally given the chance to speak, he made a statement that shook me to my very core in both it’s simplicity and it’s truth- “I just want to thank Jesus for giving me the chance to live again after I die.”
The biggest night of camp, though, was always the last night when there was a huge bon-fire. Roscoe even drove down from Wichita Falls for the evening to attend the evening worship service and bonfire with us. The bonfire was a time when the kids would sing lots of silly songs, followed by praise and worship. The kids were also be given a chance to share things from the week- fun memories and life changing moments were celebrated. After many of the kids had shared, Sam kept saying he had one more thing to say, just one more thing… When finally given the chance to speak, he made a statement that shook me to my very core in both it’s simplicity and it’s truth- “I just want to thank Jesus for giving me the chance to live again after I die.”
Let that soak in for a minute.
Sam had asked Jesus to be his Savior a few months before and had already followed him in baptism. He was only six years old. The sweet words from a sweet little man at a camp bonfire gave this mama assurance that he understood the decision he had made a few months before. None of us knew then that Sam would be with Jesus just six short months later. Those same sweet words that gave me assurance back then bring me joy now. Joy in that Sam IS living again and that I WILL see him again someday. They also bring me peace today because I know that Sam is in the presence of the King of Kings. Sam is LIVING again…. Living more than we can ever imagine!!
God is, indeed, so good.
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