Thursday morning

We awoke to the sound of thunder rolling over the gulf and rain on the windows. We moved the 9 a.m. devotions into the fitness room (second floor window in the photo).

*notes from devos ...
As most of us woke up to hearing huge crashes from the waves outside our doors and gray, rainy skies we met in the condominiums' weight room for devotions this morning. While other patrons silently jogged on treadmills our huge group listened to a story from Ben Lewis, a freshmen distance runner.

Ben started out the morning by reminding us of the 'Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints' theme of the week. Furthermore he explained that over the past few years he had learned the importance of being ONLY footprints. It is important to only step where, when, and because God has led.

He went on to tell the story of a friendship he had had back in high school. Gradually one of his close friends had slipped into a bad crowd and been doing things that did not line up with who she had originally claimed to be. Ben admitted readily that he prayed about the situation--but that it was a prayer that served him and only him. He felt as if HE needed to somehow 'fix' his friend's problems instead of waiting to be led by the Spirit. As a result of his actions---which were very good and Godly actions, but that simply did not have God behind them--he ended up losing the trust in the friendship and his opportunity to show her God's love.

Although the story did not have a happy ending, after Ben was finished Diemer reminded us that God can make our misguided steps into something beautiful for him. However, it was a great reminder of the importance of leaving footprints that are within God's will and God's will alone. Despite our best intentions we so often feel compelled to run on ahead of God or leave footprints slightly off of His path. However, God's calls us to walk His road at His pace.
-Annika Krygsman '09 (Whitinsville Christian HS MA)