This past week, my brother Boone and I had an amazing experience at our church’s youth summer camp.

We were prayed over, encouraged, and had the chance to make new friends and healthy relationships.

As I was going into this week, judging from past camp experiences, I was expecting to be challenged and convicted—even confronted, in a way, by the Lord about something that I either needed to change, stop holding onto, or a lesson I needed to learn.

But the problem or main confusion revolving around this was that I wasn’t sure what this lesson would be about. I’m feeling fine—more than fine! My mind, heart, and soul are at rest and peace right now. I didn’t want to be taken aback or off guard by being taught something that hurt me simply because I didn’t expect it.

I was voicing these concerns to a friend and she said, “Maybe this camp isn’t about learning something to fix about yourself or be convicted…maybe it’s to encourage you.”

As soon as she told me this, I felt relief. She was right. Maybe this was going to be a time of encouragement from the Lord.

And this past week, from every session, time of prayer and worship, and talking with my small group, the high school guys, the younger girls, and my mentors, everything fell into place.

I was reminded by my friend and mentor Lorien that the Lord has a plan for me and blessing in my future.

I was encouraged by my small group leader Jodi that there is a high calling on my life and that I have the joy of the Lord.

I was pushed by my pastor Dallas and the other speakers to pray and defend my family (Ephesians 2:19)—this will strengthen the kingdom of God.

And I was prayed over by a girl named Brooklyn who reminded me that I am cherished and valuable.

Goofy, loud discussions and arguments with the high school guys reminded me of how blessed I am for friendships like these.

Activities like capture the flag and kickball showed me that God is joyful.

Sharing a cabin with girls I haven’t met pushed me to experience and share the love of God with people I might not know well so that I can get to know them and love them well.

All of this week has been a clear reminder:

I am right where I am supposed to be, praise God.

Friend, whatever season you may be in: you are loved, cherished, and valued by the King. He has predestined us for adoption to sonship through Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6).

God is constantly jogging my memory during events like these, and I’m so truly blessed to live in the confidence that He loves us. And it’s not about the fact that He loves ‘us’ simply as a group per se, but rather that He intentionally loves you, and you, and you.

The friend who suggested that this week might an encouragement sent me this Substack post a few days prior to our conversation:

God made the things you like because you are a thing He likes

The author of this post, Kati Lynn writes this:

God made that small, silly thing you love because you are a small, silly thing He loves even more. No detail of your life is forgettable to Him. There is not one chapter, one frame, one single fluttering thread of your story His fingertips haven’t touched.
~Kati Lynn

To end this post, let me say this:

The Lord loves you, friend. He is excited to bless you and teach you. And He wants to encourage you.

Thanks for reading, I hope this was encouraging!
~Willow