By Sarah Harp
This weekend my volunteer community was up late playing a game after a fun night of contra dancing. When it's already four in the morning, and sunrise is at six, why end the night? My housemate David made some eggs, packed some fruit, and then we were on our way to the overlook at Flat Rock. This was the perfect way to continue and end our community and laugh filled night.
On our way to Flat Rock, my housemate Zack led us in a morning devotion. Although I was concentrating on the winding roads, I listened to what was being said. We talked about worry and how there should be no such thing. We read Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV):
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
God will take care of us. He has made us in His image and will not let us tarnish if we believe in Him. If he takes care of the animals who cannot worship Him, He will take care of His children who give Him praise.
Upon arriving at Flat Rock we were a little disappointed that trees covered the majority of the beautiful sky but we decided to stay and embrace the view anyway. Staring into the foggy valley I thought of our discussion in the car and how lucky I was to be in such good company that night. There was no need to worry, just a sky that went on for miles, and amazing friends by my side. I felt a sense of peace that I have rarely felt. Sitting on that rock with those people, knowing God knows me by name made life in that moment a whole lot sweeter.
As the sun was just coming over the trees, we heard a motor bike of some kind approaching. A few moments later, a man maybe 30 years old appears on the top of the rock. He asks us where we're from, normal small talk stuff, and then asks us what the Christian Appalachian Project is. This is a question each of us has answered so many times, but in this response something about our organization struck his heart.
Our conversation lasted about a half hour, maybe a little more, but the emotion was raw. This gentleman was willing to open up to a group of strangers because he was seeking something greater than himself. He trusted us and wanted to trust God as well. During this conversation, we learned that he has a daughter and fiancé, but they lost a lot because of repercussions of his PTSD after serving in Afghanistan for nearly six years. He had been looking for a home church for a while now and was a believer, but he wanted to put his life into action for God.
Long story short, this morning ended with us holding hands and praying for this man and his family. I would love for you all to remember them in prayer as well. They need strength, dedication, focus, and love right now. This whole evening was much more special than any of us intended it to be. We were somehow, by God's intervention, in the right place at the right time. Being silly young adults and staying up all night turned into something much more powerful and heart-warming than a good night's sleep would have been.
Sarah is serving at CAP’s Family Life Child and Family Development Center and living in the Mount Vernon Volunteer Community. She is a recent graduate of SUNY Fredonia. Opinions expressed in volunteer blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CAP or the Volunteer Program.
