DebraJ
I Am Not Forgotten
I was so excited this past Sunday, when I walked into church. Not only were the Royal Family Kids Camp staff being commissioned, but we were also having Communion. As I walked with my cane I was moving pretty slowly and missed seeing the commissioning, but I knew how to pray for this incredible team that would be ministering to kids from the foster care system in the week ahead.
After a wonderful time of teaching and worshiping our awesome God, we began the time of reflection in preparation of taking the Lord’s Supper. I am so grateful for all that Jesus suffered as He gave His body and shed His blood on my behalf. This time of remembering, eating and drinking with fellow believers is so much more precious to me these days. I hadn’t been able to attend worship services on Communion Sundays for almost a year because of where I was serving in our church. So my heart is extra full of gratitude that I’m able to take part in this, once again.
As it turned out, I was sitting alone in a back row, the only person in those 6 or 7 seats. A lovely lady brought the bread to me, going out of her way to make sure I was served. I was praying when the cup representing Christ’s shed blood came around, and when I looked up all the servers were putting their trays away. They’d all finished their serving – and I’d been forgotten.
Now I must tell you that a year ago this would have broken my heart, since I was in such a wounded state and I would have wept at the oversight…but not this day.
Suddenly this thought came to my mind: I am not forgotten! God hadn’t forgotten me, even though I may have been missed by others in the church. God sees me and knows me by name! No worries…just something more for which to be thankful.
And then I remembered a song that I had taught at RFKC several years ago by that same name: I Am Not Forgotten (lyrics below). How fitting that the Lord allowed this to happen and this song to be remembered as abused, neglected and forgotten foster kids would be heading to camp to learn that they, too, are not forgotten.
As I left church I went to the Royal Family booth to get the name of a camper I could pray for all week. The parents of the camp director happened to be manning the booth. Taking the name of Isaiah, age 9, I walked toward my car, when suddenly I heard someone call my name! George was running after me and quickly caught up. He thanked me for the years that I had served at Royal Family, recounting many details of ways he remembered I’d led music, singing and playing guitar, making a difference in the lives of these kids. Such a sweet gift!
It IS true, Lord. I am not forgotten!
Today the kids are heading back home. I’m praying they will remember all of the amazing things they experienced at camp, but especially that God loves them, knows their names and will never forget them.
I AM NOT FORGOTTEN By Aaron Lindsay & Israel Houghton
I am not forgotten…God knows my name…
Light over darkness, strength over weakness, joy over sadness, He know my name.
Father to the fatherless, friend to the friendless, hope for the hopeless, He knows my name.
Like A Freshly Cleaned Garden Bed
I’ve been spending quite a bit of time this summer at my dad’s in San Diego. We’re working to make his home more accessible as his strength and mobility decrease. As much of a challenge as this is physically for me, I love every minute that I spend with him and my step mom. I’m treasuring these moments. I know better how to pray for them!
So yesterday, as I drove to and from their home I was blessed to drive past the area where Royal Family Kids’ Camp is taking place this week. I served for 13 years as the music director for this camp that our church sponsors each summer, so I’m very familiar with the routines of their days and evenings. And for one of the first times, I wasn’t sad as I drove past; I didn’t grieve over what I was no longer able to take part in. Instead, I prayed with abundant joy that other volunteers were working to help these foster children know the unconditional love of God and have a heck of a lot of fun in the process! Like a freshly cleaned garden bed waiting for colorful new plantings, I prayed that God would grow each of these kids into the beautiful and treasured person He created them to be.
The old plants are gone and this freshly cleaned bed is waiting for beautiful, healthy new plants.
So, will you join me today, praying for those in need? Will you pray for those disabled by disease and old age; disabled by broken hearts; disabled by the hands of broken people that inflicted unspeakable atrocities on innocent children? Will you pray for God’s love, grace and power to shine through the clouds of brokenness and despair and begin to right every wrong, to heal every hurt, to use even the worst things to bring beauty and good…His good…into each life?
Will you?
Sanctuary of Shade
Transplanted clivia
Isaiah 4: 2, 5 – 6 “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious…over everything the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”
Yesterday we divided and transplanted half of our clivia, moving them from an area with too many hours of morning sun to a place along our fully shaded garden path. The canopy of oleander and bougainvillea meeting with hibiscus and the Lady Banks climbing rose dulls and dapples the harsh summer sun: such a cool and inviting space. Sounds from beyond this sanctuary are muted. Such serenity here.
Birds find protective covering in this sweet refuge and hiding place…as will the clivia. One needs protection from predators…the other, protection from the sun. How interesting that plants that can handle full sun provide that protection.
Jesus is my refuge…my sanctuary. The beautiful and glorious Branch of the Lord has become my covering and He has proven He can handle anything and everything…including the full sun. He has overcome it all. In His sanctuary of shade I find perfect peace…serenity…rest. In Him I am safe…loved…incredibly blessed.
So, today I will linger in this sanctuary with the One who provides my shelter and shade. As I enter in, I remember who I am…Whose I am. As I take His hand and walk this path of righteousness I recall His promise to lead…guide…and all I need to do is follow…trust…listen for His voice telling me which way to go. And when I leave this place, I am not alone, for He goes with me wherever I go, giving me strength for the journey.
Oh Precious Lord, I humbly ask that You would show me Your glory as I meet with You today. Thank You for being my sanctuary of shade.