Last week I had the incredible opportunity to serve at Royal Family Kids - Cozad and to return as the camp social worker. I have been volunteering for RFK for the past six years and I couldn’t imagine spending my summers any other way. As I prepared for the week of camp I kept thinking about how inadequate I felt, how I didn’t think I was cut out for the call the Lord given me. I kept hanging my head on the mistakes I had made and felt like I was being a poor example to other staff members.
As we had our final staff meeting on Thursday night many of us were sharing our hearts, our struggles, our victories, our questions, our prayer requests, etc. I sat there thinking about the psalm, “better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” I couldn’t help but think how applicable that was to my day and to my entire week at camp.
“Better is one day in your house, Jesus, than a thousand elsewhere.” In that moment I realized I would rather spend my days exhausted and run-down after serving a bunch of abused and abandoned children than a thousand elsewhere. Royal Family Kids Camp is the Lord’s court and I wouldn’t trade my days at camp, no matter how hard, for a thousand elsewhere.
This week I learned to rejoice in the struggle, to choose joy and to truly believe that Jesus is in every moment. There were several occasions this week where I didn’t think I was going to make it to the next day, but God’s sovereign strength continued to freely pour out over me and He made me able.
Whatever your struggle is, rejoice in it. God’s got a plan for it. I learned that this week.
For the fatherless.
-Victoria
PS: On a side note, my parents FINALLY came to camp with me. After many years of prayer and persuasion the Lord finally called them to camp. It was such a joy serving with them! God’s timing is perfect.