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Camp Blessing…and Grace and Truth Link Up

June 4, 2021 by Lauren 20 Comments

As this post goes live, my daughter is 2 days away from camp.  I can’t remember how many years of special needs camps Shelby has under her belt, but it’s several.

 

A couple of weeks ago in an attempt to make sure I had gathered all the necessary forms, permissions and doctor signatures, I searched my email by Camp Blessing.  In the list that came up, I found a note from a friend sent in 2015.  In it, she asked permission to write on her blog about our experience checking Shelby in together.  Her page is no more or I would direct you to it.  You would be blessed by her writing.  So I asked permission to share these words with you here.

 

Her sweet words made my eyes leak, and they give me far too much credit.  But

I want to use this to honor all the special needs parents whose love and sacrifice often go unnoticed.  And may you all find rest and respite this summer.

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I stood in the parent check-in line with my friend.  The rustic camp’s small main building was used that day to carefully direct all the parents through the process of checking-in their children for camp. 

 

Except this was unlike any check-in line that I’ve been through for my kids. These parents were dropping off consent forms and gallon sized baggies filled to the brim with medications, as well as particular foods for their children’s dietary restrictions.

 

We were at Camp Blessing near Houston, Texas. My friend Lauren is two weeks post knee surgery and not yet cleared to drive. So I acted as chauffeur to help her get her daughter Shelby to this special needs camp. Uninterrupted conversation time with Lauren is a treat, and she is one of my dearest 2 am friends. 

 

You know–the ones you can call at 2 am and they will jump to assist you. I’ve actually put that one to the test. So, this was a great opportunity to try to return some favors.

 

But as I stood there, looking at the faces of these parents who are raising children with all varieties and levels of special needs, I felt glad to be there for another reason besides friendship. 

 

I searched the faces of those parents in that check-in line, looking for what I expected to see there. Warriors all, on the front lines of daily battles that most of us cannot imagine. So, I expected to see battle fatigue and weariness, etching hard lines on their faces.

 

But instead, I saw smile lines and a twinkle of hope that defied the types of things that have become their norm. I wondered at this. I marveled internally. I considered if maybe they have a hope that I don’t have because they have a perspective that I’m oblivious to? The things I take for granted in my parenting…those are the things that are tiny miracles celebrated. Things like a full night’s sleep, void of any night time stirrings from a child who endures numerous seizures every single night, with rare exception.

 

I considered how my need for (or should I say my idol of?) control is challenging me in this mothering season of letting go. And I wanted to shrink. I wanted to hide under a table and tell them all how foolish I am. Because these parents were relinquishing control of children whose needs exceed anything I’ve ever imagined. Parent after parent went over their medication dosage list and their bottles and bottles of medications with the camp nurse. Explaining and clarifying what each one was for and when to administer it. 

 

I felt humbled. Undone. Unraveled.  Lauren calmly described her daughter’s seizures and how to respond to them, and when to give her which medication, so nonchalantly. 

 

It’s a language I don’t speak. It’s a routine I can’t fathom. 

 

I looked around the room again, as others met my look with a warm smile.

 

And I no longer saw just parents. I saw bravery. I saw courage, people rising to meet challenges that not only do I not face, but which I’m sure I would meet with far less grace and resilience and bravery.  

 

And among those parents were camp staff. Teenagers and college students who had come to be one-on-one buddies with the campers. Adults who greeted each other with enthusiasm and joy to be together again, at the start of another year’s camp. 

 

I wanted to swallow my prideful ways – all the things I tend to whine about in my comfortable, ignorant, limited perspective.

 

Check-in completed, we walked through a sudden downpour to go meet Shelby and her buddy at the cabin, so that Lauren could give instructions to the buddy and say her goodbyes to her daughter for a few days. 

 

Mollie, the buddy, was quick to introduce herself, explaining with no shortage of bubbly personality, how she was so excited for this week and how she had been praying for it for quite a while now. She talked about filling out her application and then going through camper profiles. When she came upon Shelby’s, she said, “I knew that was the one. That was MY camper!”

 

I wanted to cry. 

 

What college kid has that kind of perspective in life? I surely didn’t. I was way more wrapped up in my own little ups and downs to realize the joy of serving others like this young lady.

 

So I basically wanted to wrap Mollie up in a big tight hug and tell her how grateful I am for her and her love for Shelby that will allow my friends a few nights to sleep. All. Through. The. Night. And a few days to have a respite. I wanted to tell her that she was my hero and I want to be just like her when I grow up.

 

But I refrained, lest that freak the poor girl out.

 

After all, I’m just the chauffeur. 

 

I stood by while Lauren went through some instructions to help Mollie know Shelby. Things like which words Shelby might use to express her frustration since her verbal abilities limit her. Things like how Shelby eats and what to do when she has a seizure at night, and how she might cry out or not want to go back to sleep because she doesn’t want to have another seizure. How to read her cues and what she likes the most. 

 

The time came to go, and when asked by her mom for a goodbye hug, that precious Shelby girl turned to me and said, “hug!” I quickly obliged and felt humbled at her affection.

 

After all, I’m just the chauffeur.

 

We pulled out and I marveled again at Lauren’s strength and determination and casual attitude toward all that her life includes. 

 

I was silently thinking of how it must feel to be the parents I saw there. So ready for a respite. Yet, it must feel so hard to let go. There are things these parents have to control that I have not even considered. What a conflicted angst they must fight as they leave their children at camp.

 

Lauren seemed to read my thoughts about it all, citing how hard it was the first time. But how it has gotten easier. 

 

In our hours in the car, we covered a wide array of topics, and Lauren wistfully said that the older she gets, the more ready she is for Jesus to come and make all things right. I agreed with her sentiment, thinking of how age and experience are slowly making me more and more homesick for things beyond this earth.

 

Then she added, “I just can’t wait to see Shelby dance and run and talk and laugh and be made whole and complete.”

 

I was struck deeply by her words. 

 

As I feel God repeatedly reminding me of his Father’s love for me and his desire for me to have confidence in that love as a dearly loved child.

 

I thought that I must be like Shelby to God. 

 

Where some might see limitations or inabilities or special needs, he sees potential. He sees the heart of it all, beyond the exterior that might be misunderstood by those who don’t bother to look further.

 

And beyond all that…he sees the whole picture. He sees the struggles of this world and the ways I wrestle and the things I can’t do or seem to master.

 

But he sees them through the lens of the coming perfection. He sees them in context of the glorious unfolding, when all that is broken or “wrong” is made right. When Jesus makes all things whole, all things complete. 

 

There is a hope there for me to grasp as a foothold every time I see only my failures or limitations.

 

To know that it’s all temporary. The struggle might feel real, but it’s not permanent.

 

Because the day is coming when all those who are physically, mentally, and emotionally broken are made whole and complete and perfect. 

 

That is the truest thing about us all. That is the reality. 

 

This is merely the trailer. That is the special main attraction.

 

This is the foreshadowing. That is the whole picture.

 

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Can you even fathom? When we feast at the banquet table of the Lamb, and I can engage in full conversation with Shelby and she can finally share her wisdom and depth to me to the fullest extent?

 

May I be found faithful. To seek to see others as He does. The here-and-now through the lens of the what’s-to-come.

 

Heather Enright has called Grapevine, TX home for more than 25 years, after growing up as an Army brat and preacher’s kid. She’s married to her college sweetheart, Chris (Sic ‘Em Bears). They’re parents to three kids – Collin, Cooper, and Caris. Heather has several bible studies and scripture coloring books available on Amazon.  She is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Adoptee Collective – resources for adoptees and all who love them.  

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up.

 

I didn’t know I needed a name for the season of parenting I currently find myself, but Michele Morin of Living our Days gave me the language and a great tip for it.  Read Mud Season Prayers:  There is No Mess Too Big for God to Clean Up.  Thank you, Michele, for the encouragement.

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate)

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Filed Under: Christian, community, Grace & Truth Link Up, parenting, special needs

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    June 4, 2021 at 6:28 am

    Heather has written an extremely moving post. It’s wonderful to see your life through her eyes.
    And thanks so much for sharing my post here this week!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 4, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      It’s always my pleasure to pass along your thoughts, Michele!

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    June 4, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you for posting this! You are a star and so is your friend. I was a counselor for a coiple of weeks at a special needs camp as a young adult. It was an amazing experience. What you have shared here gives us all better respect for how much energy, love, and attention to detail you must have every day and night as a parent. There are indeed special stressors. But I know there are no mistakes, and so you have very special rewards and blessings, too.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 6, 2021 at 10:30 am

      My Shelby is a treasure. Thank you, Laura, for pouring in to others like her.

      Reply
  3. Lisa Blair says

    June 4, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    So beautiful! I’m crying. Thanks Heather for sharing who Lauren and Shelby are and about Camp Blessing and Mollie.

    I feel honored to have the privilege to peak inside Camp Blessing and to hear of all these precious families.

    These words are powerful, “I thought that I must be like Shelby to God. Where some might see limitations or inabilities or special needs, he sees potential. He sees the heart of it all, beyond the exterior that might be misunderstood by those who don’t bother to look further.”

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 6, 2021 at 10:30 am

      It is a wonderful place. Thanks for going there with us on the blog.

      Reply
  4. Lisa Blair says

    June 4, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    Heather, this is such a beautiful picture of Lauren and Shelby. And of Camp Blessing and Mollie. I cried.

    And I appreciate this insight, “I thought that I must be like Shelby to God. Where some might see limitations or inabilities or special needs, he sees potential. He sees the heart of it all, beyond the exterior that might be misunderstood by those who don’t bother to look further.”

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 6, 2021 at 10:29 am

      Thank you, Lisa. I will pass this on to Heather.

      Reply
  5. Barbara Harper says

    June 5, 2021 at 10:38 am

    With all the things I was concerned about when my own boys were away from home, I can’t imagine dealing with all these issues as well. What grace and courage. Mollie sounds like a sweetheart.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 6, 2021 at 10:28 am

      She was a gem. Thanks for reading, Barbara.

      Reply
  6. Shelbee on the Edge says

    June 6, 2021 at 7:47 am

    Oh wow, Lauren, that definitely made my eyes leak as well. What a special friend you have in Heather. And what an amazing gift from God Shelby is for all of you. We can learn so much when we just pay attention. This is such a beautiful and meaningful post. Thank you for sharing it. And thank you to Heather for writing the words.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 6, 2021 at 10:27 am

      Heather is a dear friend and a beautiful writer. I was so blessed to have her help that day.

      Reply
  7. Linda Stoll says

    June 6, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Praising God for those who serve our special needs family members …

    Blessed companions on the journey.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 7, 2021 at 9:54 am

      I thank God for them constantly. We have been blessed with some amazing teachers, camp counselors and attendants.

      Reply
  8. Maryleigh says

    June 7, 2021 at 1:37 pm

    Tearing up right there with you! What a wisdom: “they have a hope that I don’t have because they have a perspective that I’m oblivious to.” There is so much to this post, too, that applies to parents who go through other hard challenges with their kiddos – and that resilience through faith that grows us to handle more than we ever imagined possible! What amazing people God has sent across your path – exactly what you’ve needed! I’m so glad you posted this! It went straight to my heart! ~ Maryleigh

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 7, 2021 at 5:01 pm

      The people who have come alongside my daughter have helped carry us through. And I pray there is much applicable in this post for all kinds of people!

      Reply
  9. Tea With Jennifer says

    June 7, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    Beautiful post Lauren, as you know I have a granddaughter with special needs & this had me very teary today.
    Unfortunately, we don’t have a Camp that is designed for special needs children here in Australia. We do have one for kids with Cancer.
    Actually we don’t have ‘Summer Camps’ for most children like you have over there.
    Thank you for sharing this post.
    Blessings,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 8, 2021 at 11:38 am

      Oh how I wish your granddaughter could experience something like this. But besides camp counselors we have been blessed by so many others that come alongside Shelby.

      Reply
  10. Lisa notes says

    June 10, 2021 at 10:23 am

    What a beautiful post from your friend! I can understand why it made your eyes leak. It did mine too. 🙂 I pray that Shelby has a wonderful time at camp this year.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      June 11, 2021 at 8:32 am

      I go pick her up today, Lisa. Can’t wait. She is always in a giddy mood on the way home from camp.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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