Lord, Why Am I Such A Baby Sometimes?

I enjoy speaking at our Word of Life Family Campground campfire service. It always moves my heart to see families sitting together on the hillside surrounding the campfire, overlooking Andrew’s Pond. I am often reduced to tears as I see fathers lead their families to the front after the campfire invitation is given, declaring with Joshua 24:15,
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Tonight (7/27/11) that stirred my heart once again, but something else happened that moved me to the very depths of my soul. I was tired and feeling pressured from some of life’s natural and not-so-natural events. I had even thought of how nice it would be to have a night at home to just “chill.”

That’s when I spotted her slowly making her way down the dirt road towards me. The road was uneven, filled with rocks protruding from the winter’s frost heaves and roots from the trees that lined the sides of the primitive lane. It was less than desirable for her mode of travel.

I was running a little late so I was moving quickly, but as I cut off the main road to the campfire path, I stopped dead in my tracks. The thought of her making the turn in her motorized wheelchair by herself scared me. I decided to wait, as I was a little fearful the wheelchair might turn over. But, like a trooper, she confidently made the turn. Nevertheless I placed my hand on the back of the chair still wondering if it was actually capable of maneuvering the terrain.

I learned that her name was Carolyn, but I did not discover the ruthless disease that bound her twisted body to the chair. As I talked with her, another lady joined us. We walked along at a snail’s pace, but it did not matter because the smile on her face was magnetic.

I helped push the chair up the final hill to the campfire site and then said goodbye to my new friend. As I walked away, I thought of all the excuses that other people may have given for…and then I stopped; this was not about other people; this was about me. The real question was, “Lord, why am I such a baby sometimes?”

I may have been the speaker with the prestigious title who spoke to the entire camp, but if the truth were really known…I was the one inspired and challenged by a little lady in a wheelchair named Carolyn.