Praise

May 11th, 2012
When I was 18 years old, I applied for a job at the Jackson's Point Salvation Army Summer Camp.  It was an hour from Toronto, and I would be sleeping in cabins with 8 young girls and a co-counsellor.  The decision to take this job flowed from the time I had spent at St. A. center.  I would once again be working with children and knew this would be a summer of blessing.
The first few groups went in and out without any remarkable events.  The children coming to this camp were from low income areas and most were sponsored by the Salvation Army.
Generally, they were quite happy to be there.  Most were co-operative and friendly.  Some missed home, others enjoyed the new environment and all the outdoor activities.  For me, being there pushed me once again outside of my comfort zone.  I was working with people I didn't know.  There was one occasion that my cabin had to put on a skit, and I had to stand in front of the entire camp and "act" out my part.  All of this was quite difficult for me because growing up I was incredibly shy.  I never wanted to draw anyone's attention, and often tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. 
But I prayed that God would use me that summer to reach the children and teach them about our Lord.
So, things went along "swimmingly" and then group 3 came in.  All appeared to be the same on the outside, but after a few hours of spending time with the girls, I realized that I had one young lady who was going to be a challenge.  She would do the opposite of all I asked.  She would mock me and make fun of me and refuse to participate in anything.  She would encourage others to do the same.  I prayed that God would guide me in reaching her.
One afternoon, while we spent time in art class, she sat down for a few minutes and drew a landscape picture.  It was remarkable.  She had such talent, and I was amazed at the beauty and detail in her drawing.  I shared with her and others how talented she was and how much I loved her work.  She asked me if I would like to keep the picture.  I jumped at the chance and pinned it up in my room in the cabin.
Later, I brought her into my room to show her how important her gift was to me, and that for the rest of the summer I would be able to look at her masterpiece and be reminded of her.
We were strong and fast buddies after that.  She never left my side.  She blessed me with many more pictures that I cherished equally.  She made my time at camp so rewarding and memorable.  She left an indelible impression on me and changed my summer.
The last day of camp arrived, and her mother came to pick her up.  She was dragged by her daughter to come and meet me.  She seemed hesitant to stop and say hello, not knowing what to expect from me. I told her what a beautiful and talented young lady her daughter was and how grateful I was to have her in my group.  Her mother looked very surprised.  I showed her the beautiful artwork she had created and left with me.  I think her mother was relieved she was not getting a "bad" report. 
I realized with my special camper (and they all were truly special to me) that she longed for love.  She normally got attention by behaving badly.  But once I found the talent that she possessed, we had a common ground.  Praising her brought out the beauty inside her.  She became confident, warm and loving.  She touched my life in such a special way and made that entire summer so worthwhile.
I have often found throughout the years when I am dealing with a difficult moment, that keeping my mind
"stayed upon the Lord" and praising Him, shifts my focus from inner turmoil, to the beauty of the King. Praise is such a powerful expression of love.  It softens hearts, drops confrontation, and brings peace to those that share it.
In Luke 19: 37 - 40 It says :
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen
:³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Praise is important to us because it helps us and others feel valued and loved. 
It is important to God because we are able to express our love for him and in doing so we put all things in proper perspective.  The worries of this world fade and we gain this sense that we are loved by the Creator of all things, and He is mighty, awesome, powerful, loving, Holy and righteous.  Fear disipates, and peace abounds. 
It starts out being about us, and ends up being about our Lord.  Bringing peace to our soul so that we can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) 

Even in the midst of great strife and turmoil!