Cotton Balls for Caleb

I love summer – even though the temps lately have made me rethink it a bit. Yet it was just six months ago we were complaining about the snow – endless snow – waiting and dreaming for warm weather. So, it’s here and I’m determined to enjoy it because guess what? In six months, I’ll be too cold again.

Another reason I enjoy this season is because the children have the opportunity to experience VBS (Vacation Bible School). Many of us waited weeks on end for our children to attend and give us a respite to shop, clean house, or berry pick. But, this year was even more special because it was our eight year old grandson, Caleb’s first over-night camp. His Mother and Dad were confident that he was ready, but I wasn’t so sure. That night as I turned out the light, I wondered how Caleb was faring; if he was scared or excited to be there. A few hours later when I awoke to loud claps of thunder, streaks of lightening, and rain splashing against our bedroom window, I prayed, “Oh Lord, please don’t let this scare Caleb. We all wanted this to be a good experience for him.”

The next day I voiced my concerns to his mother via email and she quickly wrote back that his older brothers’ tents collapsed and they had to hurry their charges into the church to sleep, but Caleb’s tent was secure and he slept soundly, never hearing anything. Whew! I was so relieved to hear that.

Last night when Caleb came by to visit I was anxious to hear how he enjoyed camp. I asked if the thunder and lightening scared him. “I didn’t hear a thing,” he replied. “It was like I had cotton balls in my ears when I fell asleep.” He laughed at his description, but, I was thinking something else. How ingenious of God. What a great way to answer our prayers for Caleb. Cotton balls in his ears!