Is it worth it?

-Lying in a messy diaper

-Listening to the horrendous cries of mothers while their 2-yr old sons are slaughtered

-Living in an obscure town in the middle of nowhere

-Learning and working the trade of carpentry for 30 yrs without a hint of notoriety

-washing the disgusting, stinky feet of 12 men who had no understanding of sacrificial love

-slaughtered on a cross on behalf of you and me who have little estimation of that cost

Do you think somewhere in Jesus 33 yrs here on earth, he asked, IS IT WORTH IT?

Without a doubt, the answer is YES! But He did not cave on His creation. Despite his humanity, He agape loved us. That kind of love is unconditional, underserved, majorly underrated, unearned, totally sacrificial and driven by compassion!

This was the parents lesson this camp week at Joni and Friends (camp for families with disabilities). And one that I keep rolling repeatedly in my head, especially now that our week is over.

Was it worth it?

-packing for two kids with many requirements, do I have all we need? Feedings, medical supplies, diapers, medication for every emergency we may encounter, clothing for all weather (ok, that one I didn’t prepare for)

-the jammed packed week with activities- some very chaotic, trying to keep up with 4 different programs as we all went our different ways, dealing with heat, bugs, downpours, anxieties, seizures, no lift system, different beds, food, and schedules

-mounds and mounds of laundry- very smelly in 100 degree temps

– the emotional crash of a child that has no idea how to self-regulate those disturbing hormones (and land that emotional plane) after being on such a “high’ all week

Lord, is it worth it?

So, I process many thoughts after our only vacation of the year. In many ways it is the only “heaven or earth” we will ever know. To have the help that comes alongside us to navigate our day’s activities and to watch true servants in action as they learn to know our kids and create life memories for them.

-Ron and I getting brief moments of quiet to rest, talk, sleep, read, enjoy nature and see the glory of God

-watching our kids on stage as they shine out their God-given talent

-developing lasting new friendships with people that get us

-eating 3 meals a day that I didn’t prepare

-hiking a mountain in a storm and seeing wildlife that doesn’t show up in my backyard

-but then there are those awful let down feelings that can’t be controlled, and behavior that is downright disgusting- the hard stuff

Back to the pastor’s words: Will I love them the way Christ loved me in my emotional, non-grateful, devastated, ugly lost state?

YES, of course I will- It is the only Hope, and they are worth it!

THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE BEST ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN DEEPLY LOVED AND RECEIVE JESUS’ AGAPE LOVE!

SHOUT-OUT TO OUR AGAPE LOVERS THAT MADE JAF CAMP POSSIBLE FOR US:

-Joe and Sima Weaver

-Judy and Steve Landis

-prayer team: Donna, Yvonne, Deb and many others

-Amy, Timothy, Matt Eby, Jon Niles who carried us through our week, making Kari and Matthew feel special and loved

-Jesus, who is helping us pick up the broken pieces and giving us the hope of things to come!