The Fruit of a six year old

I met Sam about 2 years before I asked Jesus into my heart to be Lord of my life. It was the summer of 1995 and by far the most miserable time of my life. This is a paper I wrote for a writing class. Since then I have looked at this story over and over. Some things have been added as God has revealed more about Sam to me and I have seen the impact that this young boy had on my life.

It was a typical Sunday afternoon in June, warm and humid, but there was one significant difference. I had just finished counselor orientation at a children?s summer camp. I had been a counselor several times before, but I was still a nervous wreck. This was the first time that I would have a boy as my charge for the week and the first time that I would be dealing with such a young child. As I prepared for the arrival of the children I walked to the registration center at the camp pavilion. It was a short walk, but it was one that would change my life forever.

At the pavilion I met the camper I was assigned to for the week, Sam. He was so cute and had a wonderful, warm smile! After introductions were made and he said goodbye to his parents we headed to the cabin to unpack his belongings. Along the way it seemed like Sam asked a million questions about camp; ?Are we going to have fun? Do we get to go swimming? Where do I sleep? Where do we eat?? All of the questions made me realize that he was not only orienting himself to the camp grounds, but also seeking to find a personal comfort level.

When we got to the cabin Sam and I began to unpack and organize his things. We made his bed, complete with Power Ranger blanket and pillow, put his toothbrush and soap in the bathroom, and scooted his suitcase under the bed. It was then that I noticed the blue duffel bag on the floor. I couldn't wait to see what was inside because I thought all of the camp necessities had been unpacked, but I was wrong. I watched with amazement as Sam crouched down and opened the bag. As he pulled out his treasure he told me, "This is very important stuff you know." First there was a small alligator with purple spots. Next, he pulled out a fire engine with working lights and sirens, a water gun, and numerous other small toys. It was then that I realized that Sam was no different from any other 6 year old child.

Sam and I were at a camp for kids with cancer. This was a place where smile out numbered tears, small bald head shone in the June sun, and the only doctor around wore cut off shorts, played baseball, and gave piggy-back rides. At camp cancer was normal. Here children with IVs were normal; in fact children without IV lines were not normal! Camp was a place children with cancer could escape the harsh reality of life and death, and perhaps more importantly, have silly fun like all kids should have.

Sam definitely knew how to leave "real life" behind. He wanted to swim, play in the woods, do art projects, and play basketball all before lunch! It was hard keeping up with him! To entertain him between activities we went on "Lion Hunts." During one such Lion Hunt we were exploring the jungle and we found the most wonderful thing. A place where life would happen. It was a dead, downed tree behind the dining hall. It was Our tree. We were so excited about our discovery that it became our special place to sit before every meal. Just the two of us; talking about lions, fire engines, alligators and to my surprise and discomfort: Jesus.

Sam knew that he loved Jesus and he knew that Jesus loved him. He talked about how everything that we were seeing and playing with was created by God. He told me God was so big that he could hold the whole world in one hand. Sam knew all kinds of things from the Bible. Stories that I had never heard or wanted to hear, I just sat and listened. Sam told me that Jesus could heal cancer, and even if He didn't, He still cared. Sam also told me that Jesus could protect me from "bad guys" and save me from Hell. Sam made sure that I knew Jesus loved me. In all of our days at that tree, I learned more than I had in my life. At that tree, seed were planted-by a six year old.

Bedtime was difficult for Sam, camp could be a scary place to fall asleep. When the lights were off and everyone was quiet, the small animals outside and the shadows on the walls turned into monsters. He never wanted me to go back to my cabin after he was in bed, so I would stay by his bedside until he fell asleep. Some nights I would lie down with him and rub his new, baby soft hair. Other nights he would curl up in my lap and cry because he missed his little sister. Every night before he would fall asleep Sam would pray. He prayed for Jesus to watch him during the night and keep his dreams happy. He prayed for safety and fun for us at camp. He would always remember his family in his prayers and never forgot to pray for me. Every night, even after I assured him that I knew about Jesus, he would pray for me to "get to know Jesus more." I never said anything, I just listened.

Camp ended as all good things do and we all went our separate ways. Eight months later, Sam died. At first, I didn't realize the impact Sam's death. Several hours after I was told about his death, I started to cry and cry. Today, it is still hard to believe that our week even happened. It seems so long ago, but I will never forget Sam.

I wish I could still hear his laughter echo through my memory as clearly as the first day of camp. I wish I could feel his soft brown hair and see his brilliant blue eyes forever. I wish I could still feel the emotions of his tender tears and his sense of humor. As hard as I try I can't.

It has been 8 years since Sam died and my memories are fading. I cannot hear his voice anymore. I cannot remember what his hair felt like. And as hard as I think, I can't see the gleam in his eyes when he smiled. But I can see Sam's heart more clearly today than I could 9 years ago!

Sam will never know what his prayers have meant to me since. He will never know that now I know Jesus, I just don't know about Him, I know Him. I have learned to love Jesus as much as Sam did. I have learned that Jesus loves me. Sam will never know that even though there were many days between when he prayed for me and when I asked Jesus into my heart, I remembered Sam that day. I remembered how he was so innocent and young and how I thought if a six year old could trust Jesus, it mustn't be so hard. Sam will never know how that simple, uneventful walk I took to the pavilion on that Sunday in June- a walk that brought him into my life- changed my life forever.

God used a six year old boy to impact my life. Now, as a Christian I can see how God was working even in the hardest times of my life. God used Sam and his family to speak to me. He was whispering His love through the mouth of a sweet little boy. He was calling to my heart through the heart of a babe. He was extending comfort through a grieving mother comforting me. God was encouraging me by bringing camp friends to my side. He was showing me His rest at Our tree. He was speaking His grace and mercy through the innocent prayers of a homesick little boy. God moved in my life. God spoke to me. It took a few years, but I finally heard. Sam's legacy will go on. With each passing day, as my love for Jesus grows the legacy will go on. I will sit on that tree and plant seeds!