It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn from children. I'm so proud of Kaelie, my 14 year-old daughter, for what she has taught me most recently. This week Kaelie is on a mission trip with a group of middle school youth from our church. After we had already registered her for two fairly expensive camps this summer, she begged to go on this trip. My husband and I debated and debated whether to let her go for two reasons. First, the money. The trip itself is kind of pricey. Second, the fact that she would be gone for a week, getting home exhausted on Saturday afternoon, and have to be ready for tryouts for the junior varsity volleyball team at the high school at 8:00 Monday morning.
That might not seem like such a big deal, but it really is. Kaelie LOVES volleyball, has played for the middle school team as well as a club team, and really wants to continue in high school. The problem is that there are a total of eight girls moving up from the middle school, and they will be competing for only three or four open spots on J-V. I know Kaelie will be so disappointed if she doesn't make it.
For that reason even more so than the money, I tried to discourage her from going. But what it finally came down to for Joey and I was this: when our teenage daughter is begging to go and serve the Lord on a mission trip, how in good conscience can we put volleyball first and say no?
Obviously, we couldn't do that. That's why I am so proud of Kaelie for having her priorities on the matter straight even if we didn't. This week, I believe she is living out Matthew 6:33-34: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
These verses are really talking about not worrying about God's provision for essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter. But my prayer for Kaelie is that next week, God will reward her faithfulness and her service to him this week by providing a spot for her on that team. What a testimony that would be!
Check back Tuesday and I'll post an update with the tryout results! In the meantime, please pray for Kaelie!
