Lesson 2:

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8

While camping earlier this week, I had the opportunity to bask in the Lord’s presence longer than usual. Just being out in nature, you learn so much of God’s beauty and character. Of course along with camping are the tents and crazy fun bonfires (which meant sleeping on rocks). Before crashing, my head raced with thoughts of the future and the present and they entangled with memories from the past. Only a few hours later I awoke to what I thought was a tornado siren. For someone who hasn’t grown up with tornados, I can only describe the feeling of hearing those sirens as fear consuming me. I OF COURSE would be the sucker in a tent when a tornado hit. Turns out it was just a train. But we found only after calling parents before even the sun was awake. Sorry again.

The next morning as I spent time really absorbing the first few chapters of the beautiful Psalms my soul settled. What an amazing promise that He will not only provide safety to lie down (the physical), but much more – sleep. I’m so assured of the peace He provides in the darkness of worry and scary situations. No matter where I’ve come from or what is to come from this moment on I’m so secure in his arms. I think deep down I may have been keep all my concerns to myself about where this year will take me. Letting him in to comfort me with my biggest fears and dreams made such a difference. How could I have been so selfish…? I’m so glad his greatness shines through my vulnerability.




Lesson 3:

Pack light.

We’ll see if I can actually do it for real this time.

Lesson Number 1

The day after tomorrow I’ll be driving up to camp and ready to start a new chapter of my life. Summers always bring adventure and wonders I can never describe. This week alone in prepping and packing, God has been working and moving all around me.

Lesson number 1:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7

Being used by God and doing his will must be the goal and longing of the heart to walk with him down the paths He has called us to travel. As many of you know fear can cripple and hinder one from pressing forward and all throughout the Word in which I stand, fear is never an option. Doubt and worry are simply not from the Lord. This all being true… I realized there was something I had to do.

What is this incredible fear you ask?

Horses.

Many of you might start laughing at this point… but the idea of being on something that has a mind of its own and can throw you off only to stomp the very life out of you… Yeah they freak me out. I think they’re beautiful to look at. Don’t get me wrong. Just giving control to an animal gets to me. At camp there will be horses and I’m not sure how much I’ll have to be around them. What if a poor kid is just as scared as me? How on earth can I be real with him or her and assure them everything will be fine? I knew the only way to face this fear was facing it head on. As I pulled up the horse was already saddled and I slid on boots ready to meet the famous CeCe. I soon learned after it taking me a good ten minutes or so to get on, CeCe wasn’t really in control. I was the one with the reigns in my hand. And honestly… I think we’re a lot like horses. There’s this idea of control in our lives when really God has the reigns the entire time. Sure, we can throw a fit. But God never bails off. He’s always there to guide and encourage us. Believe it or not, I actually had fun with CeCe. Oklahoma’s rubbing off on me no matter how much I try to deny it.