By: Jennifer Clements 

Being in the right environment and atmosphere changes things.

This year has been so different from every other year. This year our baby boy, our last son Brent, is leaving for college. Exciting times, right? Well, that’s yet to be determined as empty nest syndrome sets in for me and my husband. This year is exciting for our son as he goes on to play collegiate football. He got a scholarship to an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), and he was overjoyed about playing a game he loves, except for one factor: time. He knew that his time would be limited. Limited time for worship, limited time for play, limited time at home and limited time for community. He recognized the sacrifice and said, “I still want to play,” and we support his decision. Well, little did he know that football would come at one more cost that he held dearly: Clash Camp. Clash Camp is the highlight of the summer for my boys, the one attending and the two who faithfully volunteer. Football training camp directly conflicted with the dates of Clash Camp, so he wasn’t able to go. He mourned and lamented for a bit, and then decided to embrace it.  

On our drive to Columbia, SC, we decided to stop over at Clash Camp so he could say goodbye to his big brother. The smile that was on his face when we drove onto the ground of Camp Kalaqua was second to none. Brent’s demeanor was uplifted, and he was excited to be in the environment even if it was temporary. He saw his friends. He hugged his brother, and Brice prayed over him and his collegiate journey. Being in that environment for those few moments encouraged us all, and it sparked a great conversation on the road about finding a place to worship. We talked about denominational differences and what he needed in this season of life. We landed on finding a place he can walk to, being in a body of believers and sometimes having to chew the meat that comes from the Word of God, leaving the denominational/religious delivery.

This reminded me of 1 Kings 17:1-6, when God tells Elijah to be at a specific place for a specific reason: provision. This tells us that if we’re obedient to being in the right environment, God will provide all that we need. God knew that a drought was to come. Brent may not have known that he needed that moment at Kalaqua—we certainly didn’t—but we were all better for it. He doesn’t yet know the environment he’ll be in with the football team, but God knows, and I believe that our pre-trip destination had immense value.

God used a 20-minute detour as a vehicle to infuse Brent with joy and our car ride conversation with faith. Sometimes just being in the right environment changes everything. Clash Camp is like a spiritual IV for our youth prior to being plunged into the secular world of back-to-school. Take a moment and ask yourself, “What environment am I exposed to? What environment am I exposing my children to?” My prayer for you today is that God would allow you to discover new places that will infuse you and your children with joy and encourage their faith.