I've been home for a week or so from my beautiful week at Camp Joy. I was so tremendously blessed by the 6 days spent up on the mountain. Prior to my week at camp, I had prayed several times that the Lord would break me down and really soften my heart to what He needed from me. I've learned from past experience that when you ask for a lesson to be taught, such as patience, for example, you best be careful what you ask for. The Lord indeed broke me down, challenged me, and began the humbling process that I can tell will be life-long.
I was blessed by Joann Hodges during my week of Camp Joy. She was 55 years old, and had the kindest heart. She was very quiet, only spoke when spoken to most of the time, and was incredibly low-key (something I'm not completely used to). In my past experiences at CJ, I've always had campers full of life; ones that never slowed down and had me exhausted by the end of the day. Joann was full of life, but definitely a different kind than I was used to. My personality tends to be rather loud, excessive at times, and full of energy. Camp Joy is usually the place where I can go overboard with this personality and exhaust myself just by doing that on a daily basis. This week was totally different. Joann, although so incredibly kind, didn't respond or appreciate the loud randomousity that I tend to exhibit. I had to be calm. I had to stay quiet. I had to walk slowly, eat slowly, and wait patiently.
It became very evident to me within 2 hours of being with Joann that the Lord was already working. And when I had asked to be broken down and humbled, He didn't hesitate. "Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4) I learned from Joann what it meant to have a gentle and quiet spirit. I learned how to be effective without having to be excessive. I learned to care for another person in a new and different way that I was so used to doing in my previous experiences at CJ.
I thank God for the incredible blessings that flowed abundantly throughout the week. I thank God for His mercy and His humility. I'm learning more and more every day that I am indeed a proud person seeking humility only by the grace of God. I realize that I'll never be "humble". Calling yourself humble is only proving how proud you really are. I'm learning to be gentle. I'm learning to be quiet. And I'm learning to be effective without be excessive. It's a daily process. And a journey.
"But to mean it when I say that I want my life to count for His glory is to drive a stake
through the heart of self - a painful and determined dying to me that must be a part of every day I live." -Louie Giglio
(Here's a picture of my new friend John Frame. He is precious and hilarious and brought me joy every time I was near him. He was such a blessing and allowed me to be crazy throughout random moments in my day.)
(Steven Farmer is absolutely darling. He is so sweet and kind, and also the most adorable thing ever. I have a heart for Down's Syndrome, and his cute little face seems to steal it every time.)
