Not in vain

It is Friday afternoon.  The gospel presentation is done.  And it went so. well.

I woke up with a bad cold/flu yesterday and I knew it was only going to be worse this morning.  The message was outlined but I hadn't practiced it and there was still some more work to be done.  I literally had no idea what to do because all I wanted to do was go to bed so I could rest and help my body get better, but I needed to finish my lesson, but I didn't even know if I would be able to do it in the morning, but I didn't want to miss this important session... You get the idea.  I ended up working on it some more and got help from a couple friends (shout out to Brea and Rhett!) and went to bed at a reasonable hour.  This morning I got up after a fitful night of sleep and was choosing some songs and working on my lesson when I looked at my bulletin board and read a verse I had hanging there.  1 Corinthians 15:58:

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

God really encouraged me through that verse this morning and gave me the strength to keep working.  I talked to my supervisor and he said I could sleep for a while longer and come in right before session if I was feeling okay.  I really did not want to miss it--I had been preparing for this message all week and I didn't want to back down now, and I wanted to be there for my kids.  I rested and went to session, my message barely ready.  But it all went amazing.  Esteban shared his testimony and did a great job, and Sarah stepped up and led most of the games.  I am so blessed to be working with such an awesome staff.  My message was not even rehearsed, but I barely used my notes and I said everything I wanted to say.  God really did come through and I am so thankful.  After I was done, we had a time where all the staff went around and prayed for the kids and that was pretty powerful too.  Most of the kids shared prayer requests and a lot of them were crying and it was really special to be able to pray with them.  At the end, we had a time where kids could share things that they learned over the week and one of the kids said, "I didn't know that Jesus died for us because he loved us so much."  I hope all of the kids understand God's huge love a little bit better after today, and I hope He keeps working in their hearts, growing the seeds that may have been planted.
I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness.  Today I gave myself to His work despite my sickness, and it was not in vain.

To Him be the glory.