Each year Jenny and I set aside one full week during the summer for the grandchildren to come to our home in Flagstaff for what we call “Camp Creamery.” It’s designed to be a week of outdoor activity, exploring, s’mores, fun games and devotions. This year we decided to join our church’s Worship Band Camp on each of the afternoons from 1pm to 5. This was a risk for us. We discussed it and realized that this could backfire and change the joyful experience we’ve had over the last 5 years. You see only one of our four grandkids have really shown any interest in musical instruments, and the camp was going to teach guitar, keyboard, bass and drums, all of them to each kid. This was a big risk to believe that they would enjoy the rigorous training and learning set out for the week. So Jenny and I talked and prayed, and then we decided, “Let’s give it a shot, and commit the money, the time and the effort, hoping for a good experience.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

You have areas in your personal life that you are hoping would change, or you have concerns you carry for your family that you have committed to prayer. Keep believing for God’s grace to show up. Keep praying for his intervention or visitation. This is faith; this is what we can do. You and I can’t make something happen. What we can do is pray, encourage, believe, be available. But we can’t change the heart, save the soul, heal the pain. We must trust and leave the outcome to God. This is area in which he works. This “faith” process is not emotionally easy or passive. Faith and risk challenge our minds and hearts and cause emotional discomfort and tension. Do what you can, but remember faith is leaving the outcome in his hands.

And now for the rest of the story. The Worship Band Camp was hard work and our grandchildren met the challenge without complaining and learned so much. They fell in love with playing the drums, bass and keyboard. They did great. On the way home after the final day concert, they all talked about how cool camp was and about the joy of the whole experience. One of them said this: “This was the best Camp Creamery we have ever had.” Jenny and I were shocked and pleased. The risk was met with an encounter of the Holy Spirit that changed their lives. We are so thankful. Prayerful risk is rewarded.