Sunday, June 9, 2013

Church Camp Makes Me Cry

She was so excited about going away.  We carefully went over the list of items she was to take with her.  As with most children, Leanna doesn't usually like doing chores.  But I guess there's something about packing your bags to go on an adventure that makes the chore of packing a little fun. So she packed with a smile on her face.  I helped her pack as I could feel my heart sinking inside of me.

Leanna is 12 years old and she is going to a church camp for four nights.  She will be surrounded by leaders that will be pointing her to Jesus.  She will be swimming and playing and worshipping and zip-lining and many other fun things.  So why am I, her mother and the person who loves her almost as much as Jesus, upset that she is leaving to do these things.  Well, it's apparently because I'm her mother and the person that loves her almost as much as Jesus.

I was sulking yesterday morning as we were getting ready to take her to get on the bus at the church.  I kept remembering the day she was born, which was yesterday in my mind!  I remember how much she needed me and how much I have loved her needing me.  As I was sulking and remembering, God spoke to my heart.  He reminded me of His story in Luke 2 when He was 12 years old, the same age as my sweet Leanna.  It was when Jesus was 12 years old that He left His parents and stayed in the Temple.  Mary was less than thrilled about this, because she too had a momma's heart.  But Jesus reminded her that He was at His Father's house doing His Father's business.  Wow.  I was taken back by this.  Why? Because God was clearly reminding me that Leanna was HIS child first and she needs to be about seeking Him before all things.  

So she left.  She got on the bus smiling and ready to go on her adventure with Jesus and her friends.  And me, well, I still cried.  But I told God "Thank you" for His reminder.  I pray she will grow in wisdom and in favor with God.
Leanna and one of her more spiritual moments at camp.  (-:


Luke 2:  41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[d] 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.