By Staff Writer Abbie Miller

Last year, I served for four weeks at a Christian summer camp for kids.

I’d never done anything like it, and I. was. SCARED.

I had no idea what to expect, no real idea why I’d even applied – except that I felt God wanted me to – and I didn’t know anyone there.
As I began to prepare, my prayers were all eloquent and calm:

Lord, give me strength and courage, boldness and discipline…

God, help me to be a cheerful worker with a spirit of optimism….

Blah blah blah.

But they grew increasingly desperate as the hours ticked away and I packed bug spray, oscillating fans, flip flops and 37 pairs of underwear.

Finally, the first day of the counselor’s training week arrived and as my mom drove, I stared out the window, anxiety curling in my stomach. I was excited and curious and terrified.

At this point, my prayers became urgent and increasingly sporadic:

Help Lord!

Make me brave!

Make me strong!

Make me… something You can use!

Training week began, and even though I definitely have my shy, introverted side, I forced myself to be outgoing, and to learn about the people I would be working with.

I forced myself to share myself with others.

I feel as though I could’ve written the book “Do Hard Things” at the time. Although looking back, I think Gee Abbie, it really wasn’t THAT big a deal.

And yet… it was.

Because I began to see how small my heart for serving really was. I was about to be stretched mightily and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.

One night, I wrote down some goals in my journal (by the feeble glow of my flashlight!). Here are a few of them:

- Learn to the ropes. Watch closely, listen intently.

- Pray as I go. Gotta learn this one – I’m not too good at it.

- Respect the kids. Think, and treat them the way I’d want to be treated.

- Don’t live by emotions!! Lord, teach me how not to.

- Don’t be afraid. Courage! Take heart! God is on my side, despite the attacks that I am experiencing emotionally. Everyone here wants me to succeed!

Looking back, I marvel at how much I was blessed by serving for a summer. It was hard work. But it was incredibly rewarding. I cultivated friendships that will last for a lifetime. And I like to think that I made a difference in the lives of the kids that I grew to love.

Now what I want to know is… what “hard thing” is God calling you to do this summer? Maybe it’s not summer camp – maybe it’s a mission trip. Maybe it’s working to save money for college. Maybe it’s summer school. Maybe it’s staying home. (This can be the hardest thing of all!)

Whatever path your feet travel this summer, I want to encourage you to walk it bravely, faithfully, and with a heart that is ready to serve.

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In honor of her post about Doing Hard Things, Abbie would like to give away a copy of the book, Do Hard Things, by Alex and Brett Harris. To compete for a chance to win, just leave a comment on this post. Make sure to leave your e-mail address so we can contact in case your number is randomly chosen!

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Abbie is 18, lives in the country with her weird and wonderful family, and loves to read, write, play the violin and eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts. (Not at the same time.) She also loves God, kids, cooking, baking, umbrellas, and the color green. As she grows toward God, she writes about the strange, hilarious and wonderful journey at her blog, Abbie Writes.