Answers to Prayer

A few of you know the prayer I said to God the day Matthew left for camp.  I sat in my van at the church and asked for safe travels, and an awesome experience but more importantly, I asked God to stir something inside of Matthew while he was gone.  After having spent a week with his biological father, Matthew was doing some questioning of his own faith.  It breaks my heart to know he was experiencing this but I know exactly how he felt because I've been there.  My prayer request wasn't fancy or filled with big words, it was simple...draw Matthew closer to you oh Lord.  Amen.

A little while later, while grocery shopping, I felt this peace come over me.  This feeling of something settling on my chest yet it wasn't an uneasy feeling within me, just calming peace.  It was as if God was telling me, he's got it.  And with that, I waited with anticipation for Matthew to come home from camp to see just what this new excitement for God would be.


So I'm sure you are all sitting here reading this blog and wondering, well, what happened....all I can say is, God is Good...

Matthew came back on Friday night with this newness surrounding him.  As soon as I hugged him, I could just sense the Holy Spirit filling him.  I have always been a firm believer in prayer but to see it be answered like this fills my heart with joy.  We were sitting in the worship center and watching 31 teens get baptized.  31 kids from camp had made the decision to put their life in God's hands.  And in watching Matthew's reaction to those kids, he was excited for each of them.  He shared a few high-fives with some close friends, as if welcoming them into the family of God.  And then, a song came on the overhead  speaker....

Jesus Paid It All        (click on link to left to hear song)

With this song, Matthew leaned over and told me about a few highlights with camp.  One evening, one of the Student Ministry Pastors gave a message on being bold.  Standing up for God even when those around you are questions.  Standing up for God in the midst of choas.  Standing up for God because he loves you.  Powerful words for anyone to hear and Matthew drank them in.  Then, the Student Worship Leader gave a prayer.  A prayer that had words from God that Matthew needed to hear.  Words that built up confidence in Matthew to then seek out his leader and talk.  Moments later, Matthew was talking to his student leader.  I asked Matthew if his leader took the time he needed to speak and Matthew replied, "I felt like I was the only thing that mattered when we were talking".  Praise God!  Matthew hasn't shared everything he and Ed talked about but he's shared enough for me to gleem a few tidbits.

I learned that Matthew was questioning his faith because he feels like a sinner all the time.  He was questioning if God could really forgive him even though he had been baptized.  It breaks my heart to think Matthew has been walking around with this burden but I praise God for Ed's words.  Ed reminded Matthew that we get new mercies everyday. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Matthew was reminded that even though we stray from God at times, God never strays from us.  We may get busy and forget but God never does.  And because we are a child of the most high King, we are forgiven.  We must continue to have faith and put our trust in God.  Hebrews 11:1, To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.  Ed said words to Matthew that God impressed upon his heart.  Words that match what I have told Matthew all along.  I feel so very blessed that Matthew has these strong leaders in his life and that he feels confident to step up and talk to them when he is unable to talk to his parents.

Matthew had an incredible week at camp.  He came home with his heart on fire for God.  His arms open to receive His unending love.  His hands raised high in praise to Him.  I couldn't have asked for a sweeter answer to prayer.  It brought tears to my eyes to hear him tell me about his week at camp. 

Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4

Camp Collide 2013     (click on link to left to see a video of camp)

Father, I praise you.  You are good to your children.  You never leave us or forsake us.  You are steadfast and love us without end.  I thank you Lord for the time Matthew spent at camp.  I thank you for his safety, for his experience, and most of all for the answer to prayer in his growth.  Please continue to stir this new light in Matthew so that he may use it to continue to walk with you, to grow closer to you, to trust in you fully.  I love you Lord and it's in Your strong name I pray.  Amen.