Biggest 4th of July Celebration Ever
This past week, I was blessed to direct two basketball camps in Colorado. You could see the mountains in the background of both gymnasiums. Yes, it is a nice time of year to be in cool Colorado compared to the heat of Oklahoma. However, a week away from my family is always challenging for everyone.
Another job related weekend away from my beautiful wife, who becomes a single parent for the week. Not sure why, but something always goes wrong around the house when I leave town. Sheri has dealt with flooding, plumbing issues, pool issues, having to mowing the grass, and the list goes on and on. Not only that, but I heard the other day about an AP that tells you how many weekends you have left with your kids before they leave the home. Let’s just say it is fewer than you think.
After a flight delay, I arrived home last night at 2:00 AM, which is nothing new in the coaching business either. All that really matters is that I made it home in time to celebrate the holiday with my family.
So what made this 4th of July the best celebration ever. This celebration was beyond what you can dream or imagine. How you ask?
Both Basketball Camps I worked this past week included the opportunity of our staff sharing Jesus Christ love with our athletes. Camps are early mornings and long days that require high energy. Each night ends in a staff meeting. The shorter the better is usually the thought, but this week we took the time each night to pray that the Holy Spirit would soften the hearts of our athletes and use us as a vessel to share Jesus love with the kids. Our goal was to ignite a celebration on the streets of Gold in Heaven, resulting from at least one child making a commitment to follow Christ each day. With 106 campers, we had high hopes of reaching this goal.
Luke 15:7 says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke follows that powerful verse up with even more in 15:10, “”In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Last night at 6:25 pm on my way to the airport, I received this group text from our camp administrator who read the camper evaluations.
“I forgot to share this at staff meeting but we had 25 kids make a first time decision for Christ this week! That’s what it’s all about 👏“
Our of 106 total athletes, 25 kids had made a decision! All the way home and this morning, all I could think about was the celebration that was going on in Heaven. Just when I did not think it was humanly possible to be any more excited, God did it again! At noon today, I received the following text from a campers father.
“Coach Bostwick. I follow you on spiritledcoach and please forgive me for any perceived audaciousness in texting you instead of emailing but I wanted to hopefully ensure I was able to touch base with you directly.
My daughter attended your camp this week in Denver and she is now so excited about the Lord. Your incredible team helped her discover her purpose in this race. To become the ambassador for Christ she was called to be and to live her life for God’s Glory.
And I will never forget the lessons you taught about “pure joy” and Eleazar standing his ground and saying not today. I ran from God for 30 years by turning to alcohol for solace when life got tough. I don’t do that today but sometimes it’s still difficult and I thank you for reminding me that I am more than a conqueror and that I am well able to face any adversity the enemy throws at me. I am again excited to serve God and to be mindful of who I can help next. And to smile. 😉
But above all please thank your wife and your four left handers for loaning you to us. Their sacrifice and faith will give hope to the hopeless and will save souls. From a brother in Christ ❤️“
Can you imagine the party going on in Heaven today from 25 children choosing to accept Christ as their Savior? Well God never underwhelms me! I asked the father if I could share his text. His response read this…
“Absolutely Coach! By all means. And I’m not concerned about anonymity. Through experience I’ve learned Paul was, as always, inspired by God when he correctly wrote “All things work together for the good of those who love God.” I’ve found my past problems with alcohol make me uniquely qualified to find common ground and gain the trust of the still suffering alcoholic. My daughter is not very good at basketball yet. But you made her week Monday night immediately after Intensity Station when you came up to her, and her brother and me and said she smiles even more than you and that indicated to you that she’s in store for a joyful life. This world is starving for that kind of uplifting encouragement.
I forwarded the text on to my staff members. This is one of their responses,
“I also want to thank you for allowing me to be on your staff! This week especially brought me back to my faith a lot more than I have been in awhile.“
Need I say more of why today was the biggest 4th of July Celebration of my life! Just for a little gravy on top, I enjoyed a swim, a snow cone, and some fireworks with my family! Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding me as a SPIRIT LED COACH!
Photo by Matthew Landers on Unsplash