Your days at most cannot be very long. So use them to the best
of your ability for the glory of God and the benefit of your generation.
-William Booth-
-William Booth-
Good Morning,
What can a man learn during a worship service at Women’s Ministries Camp? A couple of weeks ago I attended the Sunday morning worship at Camp Homelani. I must admit I felt outnumbered, but also a little pampered and special. Two very special lessons were reinforced in me during the service.
The first lesson came during a worshipful dance by women from Lahaina. Their expressions were no less than radiant and joy exuded joy. I was enjoying the dance, when my wife leaned over and told me that all the women in the group, save one, was homeless. That is when I became transfixed on their smiles. They were happy. I thought, as I watched, about the situations they must face every day of their lives. They deal with struggles and frustrations that I can never understand. Yet, as I watched, I saw none of this.
I have a t-shirt that I work out in that reads, “He who dies with the most toys, still dies.” While that is certainly true, we live in a culture that may not believe you can take it with you, but money, possessions, position, etc, all have a great bearing on the value place upon a person. We pay attention to the important and ignore the one we deem less important. Certainly the one who possesses more is happier and more content than those who have little or none. Not only is that statement untrue, it demonstrates total ignorance.
Reach into your pocket. Do you have any money at all? If so, you are richer than most people in the world are. Most people in the world have nothing. The author of the Book of James simply wrote, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5
As I watched the women of Lahaina dance, they ministered to me. They touched my heart, they taught me a very important lesson, the value, and significance of a person has little or nothing to do with what they possess, but everything to do with to whom they belong.
The second lesson came in the form of a person, Lorie. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, however, we are secure enough in our health that we make the assumption tomorrow will always be there. Not so for Lorie. She is dealing with significant health issues that most of us cannot comprehend. One would think that a person dealing with such issues would be negative; they would be asking, “Why me?” Not so for Lorie.
Lorie’s testimony was about live, hope, and the faithfulness of God. She lives each day encouraging others through the gift of poetry. As you read her poems, you read nothing of dark days or the brutal unfairness of life. You read things like:
Always by your side
You need to realize
When you’re feeling lonely
He is there for you only.
Holding you close
Loving you most
When you’re empty inside
He looks at you with pride.
Because he sees it all
And it’s him that you call
You could have given up
But you did not
So…
Cheer up the Lord loves you a lot.
© 2007 Lorie A. Yocum
I sat and listened to Lorie, and was in awe of her faith. You see, faith to Lorie is not a theological term or some topic contained in a sermon; faith is the essence of life. The lesson Lorie taught me, and teaches me every day that I see her is, faith is taking one more step when all that is within me cries out in fear and trusting in our Father’s love.
What can a man learn at Women’s ministry camp? Well, I must admit, this man learned a lot.
Blessings,
d
