By Miriam Ankerbrand, Development Coordinator
The day campers had arrived for the week and were lined up with their backpacks in tow waiting to be checked in at registration. In one line stood a small second grader with an over-sized backpack and a bright red ball cap with the name “Scottie” embroidered on it. I noticed he seemed to be studying me. He began to motion for me to come over to him.
“Can I ask you a question?” Scottie inquired.
“Sure,” I replied.
“Why do you walk with a cane?” he asked.
“I have bad knees,” I answered.
“Did you hurt your knees?” he questioned.
“No, I have arthritis,” was my reply.
“I’m sorry you have that,” he said. “If it’s okay with you, I’ll pray for you tonight when I go to bed and ask God to heal you.”
I was so moved! Here was a young boy, of about 8 years old, realizing that God could heal me if he would ask. “Sure, Scottie. You can pray for me,” I assured him.
The next day at lunch, our Day Camp Coordinator shared a story with me. “There was little boy that came up to me today and asked if he could pray before our next session with the speaker. I wasn’t sure if he would be able to do it…he’s so little…but I told him he could. Imagine how surprised I was when he stood up before all those campers and prayed. He said, ‘Dear Jesus, please open our ears and our hearts to receive the words that Miss Jackie will give to us today. Help us to apply them to our lives. Amen.’ Wow! What a prayer for someone so young!”
I asked her what his name was. “It was Scottie. Why do you ask?”
Excitedly, I shared with her the events of the previous day. “Wow!” she exclaimed! “The faith of this little one is certainly strong!”
In Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus calls a little child to him and answers them, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (NIV)
Jesus knew that children have a trust that we don’t have as adults. Children believe wholeheartedly and without question. When they ask something of the Lord, they believe He will answer. Children are not afraid to pray bold prayers or to let others know what God can do. This little camper set a great example that we should all follow.
