Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Camp Grace" for Tuesday, 28 October 2014 - Read John 15:5-17

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Camp Grace" for Tuesday, 28 October 2014 - Read John 15:5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
9-10 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.
11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.
16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
17 “But remember the root command: Love one another.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.(Romans 8:26 (NRSV))
For three decades, adults with special needs, along with many volunteers, have attended Camp Grace in the mountains of North Carolina. At this “family reunion” I have found the campers’ love for one another and their love and acceptance of me very moving. The highlight is Saturday’s talent show in which nearly all the campers select a talent to share.
Susan, who rarely speaks, usually dances. However, this year, she wanted to sing “Jesus Loves Me.”She stood, quite anxious, in front of the microphone and said, “Hi.”As our accompanist quietly tried to prompt her with the words, she said “hi” again. Then, voices began to arise from Susan’s Camp Grace family, until we were all singing “Jesus Loves Me,” softly and sweetly, on her behalf. Susan grinned as she received our love and affirmation and knew she was not alone.
Through the Holy Spirit, God was illustrating Romans 8:26. When Christ ascended, he left us a Comforter who intervenes for us with God when we struggle. As we lifted Susan’s song to God, we were bearing the fruit of God’s love.(See John 15:16-17.)
Read more from the author, here.
"Camp Grace"
Camp Grace (in operation for over 30 years)
My first time serving at this camp for mentally challenged adults, I was a bit anxious until I saw the love the returning “special friends” (the volunteers) and campers (those who are mentally challenged) felt for one another when they were reunited. Each camper is paired with a special friend.  My first camper, John was about my age.  He was sight impaired and physically disabled.  So, while the others hiked or swam, he and I sat on the porch, laughed, talked about our daily lives, and looked at the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.  During the weekend, I met friends from his group home, and others he is excited to see each year. We talked about our families, old TV shows (e.g., “Andy Griffith” and “I Love Lucy”), his job, group-home staff, music, food, and our faith.  I helped him with his shower, carried his food, and just participated.  Our interactions were always affirming.
Sunday morning I awoke early.  John was still asleep;.  He did not snore; nor had he needed to go to the bathroom all night.  This was a time for reflection as we all prepared to return to our “normal” lives.  Certain realities became clear to me:  The love overflowing from the lives of the campers into my heart originated from their “child,” and had reawakened the child in me.  John and the other campers had revealed a “disability” in me and had caused me to reassess their disability.
[A journal excerpt from my 5th year]  ‘Each year, I’m moved by the campers’ love for one another, and their love and acceptance of me. It’s like a family reunion as we visit with old and new friends. The highlights are the Talent Show and our Dance Saturday night.  The dance is a grand mixture of fellowship, music, and energy.  The food at the dance is the highlight for John.  Earlier, Jane (a camper) and I had enjoyed talking and knew each other from previous weekends so I asked her to dance.  She’s a gentle, shy woman who avoids eye contact.  As we danced to “Bless the Broken Road,” I saw her tears through mine and told her:  “This song always makes me cry.”  She said: “Me too.”  I can’t know the emotions behind Lisa’s memory, but mine were that God had loved and pursued me for decades before I chose the road that led me straight to Him.
Sunday morning, I lay in my bunk and considered what God had revealed about the campers and me this year:  Though society separates us for practical reasons, Jane and I are both clay jars with God’s light shining through our cracks — each blessed with unique gifts and a special purpose in Christ’s Body.  Praise God!’(Dan Nelson)
The Author: Daniel R. Nelson (North Carolina)
Thought for the Day: Jesus loves me.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to bring your comfort to others in their times of hardship. Amen.
Prayer focus: People with special needs
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