Joyful Servants!

Joyful Servants! I wrote an entire year's worth of parochial day school bible studies on that topic one year...four studies a week for a nine month school year. I could dig it out of a file somewhere and see what I wrote about. But somehow, what I wrote is not the point. It is the images I recall of the 40 some volunteers I had working in the school that year that sticks with me. They were indeed joyful servants...even when a particular circumstance did not warrant joy. You see they had something more to give that circumstances could not erase. They followed the example of their Lord when he knelt down and washed the feet of his disciples just hours before his arrest and trial. They followed the example of their Lord who chose to serve by dying for them...and they wanted to pass that joy on to others. It was awesome then...and it is awesome now. Not only to remember those people but to continue through the years to see it in others as well...and that is what the images below illustrate for me. JOYFUL SERVANTS who gave of their time and their abilities to see that adventure retreats happened here at Athelas. Without such servants, Athelas Outdoor Ministry could not function. Even when the circumstances did not warrant a joyful heart, they gave it freely. So to all the joyful services rendered on behalf of this ministry, Athelas extends to you a huge hug of gratitude! Thanks for teaching, mentoring, building, cleaning outhouses, washing dishes, building fires, guiding, cooking, listening, encouraging and loving all those God sent our way this past year. May you continue in HIS service with a joyful heart so that others may know better how to follow in His Steps!