One of my daily highlights of our summer day camp is seeing a 6 year old named Orel. He's hilarious (when asked what our bodies are, he answered, "Meat?"). His dances moves are off the charts. And he loves climbing, however due to a lack of trees, the leaders become his climbing wall.
So it wasn't fun for me last week when Orel got in trouble one day. Another camper shoved him and Orel immediately pushed back. He didn't start it, but nonetheless, he shouldn't have retaliated. So Orel got put in "the box."
"The box" is basically the saddest thing ever. While all the other kids play Challenge Circle, the campers in the box don't get to play. They must stay in the box. And the rule in the box is "You don't play, you don't move". So those "box kids", as we call them, are generally unhappy.
As was Orel, but he didn't say a word. He knew he shouldn't have fought back. So he just sat there . . . silently . . . alone.
But at halftime, our camp director talked to him, and seeing as it wasn't his fault gave Orel a second chance and put him back on a team.
Leading to some of my favorite moments of the summer.
Right away, the restored Orel was the most excited member of his team. Cheering for his teammates, jumping up and down, and (he's pretty fast) scoring some big time points in Steal the Bacon. All with a huge, excited smile on his face.
Orel knew he messed up. He knew he didn't deserve to play. But he got another chance. And he was thrilled to have it. His response wasn't about making it up to the staff. His response wasn't about making things right. He was a kid, excited to be in the game. Excited to serve his team. Excited that his missteps were redeemable.
Its small, but is a picture of a bigger truth.
"(God) gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people, that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:14
How do you respond to your own sin? As a restored beloved child or a penitent beggar?
Where have you seen redemption in your life? Where in your life does He want to bring redemption to light?
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