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Luke 21:5-19

BY LISA JORDAN

It was a dark and stormy night (seriously) and I was serving as a counselor at a summer camp for Deaf youth. The lights went out briefly and campers panicked because understanding Sign language in the dark is quite difficult. Fortunately, many counselors were shining the light of their flashlights to aid in communication.

The Deaf camper with whom I was working also had special needs and proved to be challenging. I wanted to weather this storm by his side. There was much commotion in the room as frantic counselors tried to calm frightened campers.

Quarrels erupted because of the cramped feeling of the hall. But when I looked back at this young Deaf camper with developmental disabilities and physical challenges, he was smiling.

During all that chaos and confusion, which literally reminded me of Luke’s description of coming trials, “kingdom against kingdom” and “great earthquakes,” the camper was smiling, even joyful. He knew it was not only me who was with him that night, but also Christ.

The storm passed, and although touched by that moment, the daily struggles and trials of camp life had left me worn out and irritable.

I had learned that allowing “my” special camper to use my digital camera worked marvelously as a positive reinforcement. On the last day of camp, already accustomed to the camera being an important part of our camp experience, the batteries died.

Concerned about the camper’s behavior without the camera, I asked someone to find new batteries.

He was upset to be without the camera, but then delighted when a friend returned with the batteries.

While changing the batteries, the camera slipped from my hand. I reached down to pick it up and prayed that the light of the screen would give me assurance that our behavioral tool would still work, but there was no light. It was broken, and it was my fault.

I regretted changing the batteries and allowing the camper to use my camera, since many adults had warned me against trusting him. I began to feel resentment, and I could see that the camper had something to say in response. He responded with words/Signs infused with God’s wisdom, which I could not possibly contradict.

He looked into my eyes, put his hand on my arm and said, “It’s okay. I’ll miss the camera, but I will miss you more.” His words shone a light of love so much brighter than any LED screen.

I believe that this camper gained his soul by withstanding the storm with grace and loving amidst persecution. But by allowing God to testify through him, even in the midst of my animosity, I believe I gained my soul anew that day as well.

May we take to heart what this camper knew: Do not prepare your defense in advance, but allow God’s words to be spoken/signed through you. We know that storms and trials will come, but we also know who to follow and believe – the one with the brightest light.

Lisa Jordan is a local pastor serving Magothy Church of the Deaf in Pasadena and Gallaudet. She can be reached at .