Billy here – I just want to say that I may be on the other side of the world, but dabbing is being made popular world-wide by my team. {even the kids are doing it}
Recently our team went to a village about 2 hours outside of Phnom Penh. The place we went to was called Rah Village in the Kampong Chhnang Province (that is so fun to say out loud!). Our host pastor had recently finished the construction of a Literary Center and Sanctuary there with the help of locals and a few World Race teams. This was our home for the 4 days that we stayed in the village. During our time there, we interacted with the local children who came to the church to hang out, learn English, and hear about the bible. And this is where I want to share about something that happened to me.
During one of the programs, we created a craft for the kids to put together that explained the story of how God created the world. This was all portrayed on a crown that they could wear. We gave them the tools and they put it together. A lot of them did really well and didn’t need any help. As me and my teammate, Brooks Driver, were standing over the kids supervising them, a young girl about 8 or 9 years old finished her craft and started walking towards us with it. At this point I wasn’t sure what she wanted because she didn’t speak English and she was already done with her craft. She proceeds to extend her hands, which were holding her crown, and she gave it to me. I was unsure why she handed it to me until something clicked. She wanted me to crown her! I took her beautiful creation and placed it on her head. She smiled from ear to ear. And I can imagine the joy that was in her heart in that moment.
God allowed a little girl who couldn’t say a word to me, to speak volumes into my life.
This was a monumental moment for me. Because God had something He wanted me to take away from my encounter with this little girl. All too often God gives us “crafts” to complete. He gives us all the tools and skills we need to complete this task. As He watches over us, He is delighted by what we are doing. After we complete what we have been given, we look at it and sometimes praise ourselves for doing such a great job. We boast in the works we did and want to parade it around to others and show them how talented we are. But God should receive the glory right? We should take our completed tasks before Him and glorify His name. God wants us to change our ways and become like children. Even become like the little girl I encountered. He wants us to see what we have done, and take it to Him. Once we take our successes to God, then He will reward us! He will even crown us with his love and mercy. And there is nothing better than receiving praise & reward for our Heavenly Father.
I am reminded of Psalm 103:1-5. It reads,
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
It can be easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget what God has done for us. So I want to encourage you as you read this. Take some time out of your day and sit before the Lord. All He wants is for us to have a relationship with Him. A genuine relationship comes from doing something more than just sitting around talking about relationships. So DO SOMETHING and see how much more God wants to bless you for it. Lay down your “crafts” before Him and allow Him to crown you with His love, mercy, joy, peace, and so much more.
Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of the little girl I crowned,
but here are some of the other kids with their crowns!
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THANK YOU!
