By Alise Weber — One of my favorite jobs when I was a young twenty something was working as a camp counselor and pool director at Camp Mohaven in Danville, Ohio. I loved the opportunities to be outside in nature. I was uplifted by the singular focus on Christ. I shared God’s word with many kids that were not from a Christian background. And I had so much fun hanging out with my co-workers who also became close friends.
Camp was an absolute blast! With that being said, working at camp could also be exhausting. In conversations with young people today, I tell them that it is the closest you can get to having a parental experience without having kids. As a camp counselor, I was with the kids 24/7 and had one full 24-hour period off per week.
One particular day off comes to mind when I was completely wiped out physically and spiritually. There was nothing left to give and I had my heart set on finding a quiet place to relax with the goal of sleeping in the next morning. Usually, the camp would set aside one cabin for counselors to stay in during their day off. It was a nice gesture, but I would still be awakened in the early hours of the morning by all the camp activity. I needed to get away and I decided I was going to get a hotel room for the night.
There was only one problem. Camp meeting was taking place at the nearby Mt. Vernon Academy. I went to hotel after hotel seeking a place to rest, but all were full. I wanted to cry, and I needed a quiet moment. I almost didn’t pray because it sounded too silly. “Lord, help me find a hotel room where I can rest,” seemed too insignificant. Nevertheless, I poured out my heart to God and asked that He help me find a place where I could be restored. There was one last hotel to go to and ask if they had a free room. Again, the answer was, “No.”
Just then, a familiar and tired face walked into the lobby of the hotel. My friend, Jennifer. We had gone to college together. She was attending the camp meeting and was coming out to the hotel lobby about a noise complaint. She saw me and I explained my predicament and then without thinking twice, she invited me to stay in her room.
Just like that. God heard and answered a prayer that was so small, I didn’t even think I should utter it. That experience was a good reminder that God cares for even the small requests we have for Him. Nothing is too quaint or insignificant for our heavenly Father to walk beside us with. Talk to Him. He delights in giving us sanctuary.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heaven burdens, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28).
—Alise Weber is pastor for children’s & family ministry at Littleton Adventist Church.
