Pastor Stephen Gibson
June 2022
We drove through the alley, found an open space to park, and climbed the stairs to the second floor of the old building. I held the door for my sister and her children to go inside. I took a deep breathe. Yes, the familiar aroma of spices and baked goods was as inviting as ever. I had been looking forward to bringing my sister’s kids to The Harvest to eat while I visited on a Thanksgiving seminary break. Going to The Harvest was a family tradition. It was a bit of a drive to Pearl Street in Boulder, but our family had shared significant memories there. When my older sister brought Peter home from college to check us out, we went to The Harvest. When my younger brother brought his future wife to visit us in Colorado, he took her there on a date. The food was excellent and the people-watching was unsurpassed. (When you mix Pearl Street and vegetarians, you can get some interesting results.)
We walked down the hall to the stairs, but they were roped off. There was no hum of conversation. I looked down and chairs were set on the tables. A sign announced their closing on November 1. “Thanks for the memories” it said. We had missed the last day of operation. What a disappointment! We were so hungry; it smelled so good. And we had no alternative in mind.
David had a lament in Psalm 107: Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (v. 7 NKJV)
How often we are lulled into taking God’s goodness for granted. It seems that was my attitude toward going to camp meeting each summer in Prescott. I just assumed that pattern would continue indefinitely until the time approaching Jesus’ Return. Then due to a virus, that routine was disrupted rather abruptly. And the temporary situation turned into a longer period than I expected. We may recognize how much we value something after it isn’t available to us. Thankfully God is gracious and patient in providing for our needs in spite of our slowness to give thanks. He is painfully aware of our ability to forget His daily blessings.
As you look forward to the opportunity to attend Camp Yavapines this June 14-18 or the summer camps that follow, may it be with an abundance of thanksgiving. As David sang: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, (vs. 1-2 NKJV)
For more details about the schedule go to: www.azconference.org/campmeeting