Playground Testimony

Recently I gave the below testimony at my church (Reston Presbyterian Church if you want to look it up). I thought I might as well share it here too :)

"Good morning! My name is Sara, and this is my husband Jon, and we are members here at RPC. Jon is standing up here with me for support :) I’m here to share what God was doing in me during my participation in the RPC Playground.

At some point during the summer an email went out to the parents of the church asking about what we would want in a potential playground. I couldn't stop thinking about it for some reason - I didn't know if it was my own internal OCD or the Spirit's leading - and I responded. One thing led to another and I found myself facilitating the recommendation of a playground structure for RPC.

One thing you should know here is I'm usually in some state of doubt about my faith and the church. I'm assured of Christ and who He is - usually - but I wonder a lot about how much he actually is working today, how much He really cares, and if this is all really worth it.

In terms of doubt in the church - we joined RPC right at the time God launched this church into a great deal of unanticipated change, much of which I found hard to process.

Now if I had been looking for what God was doing in here, I would have seen it. But I was looking for things to be skeptical about - and if you are looking for such things you will always find them. I had given up on God doing anything here, or if He was, it certainly didn't involve me. How could it? I had given up on Him doing anything in me as well.

So I found myself in the middle of this playground project. And though I was deeply involved in its selection - I really didn't believe it was going to happen. How could it? There had been a few setbacks in the process, which in retrospect were clearly small, but they loomed very large in my mind and heart. I just didn't think this was possible.

I decided to be present on the day the structure was to be installed. As the office staff asked me if I was excited that it was happening, I blatantly told them I wouldn't believe until I saw it up with my own two eyes.

Even as I saw the crew putting it up as I was leaving, I still didn’t believe. There were too many reasons I could think of why it would fail, and I didn't trust God to be big enough to overcome all these reasons.

And, I was wrong.

As the pictures went up on facebook of the playground being finished, I felt God very gently, but VERY firmly, telling me that all these little reasons I create, all my own internal drama, all my own decisions about is-or-is-He-not here, have no effect on His power, ability, plans, and love.

I saw Him demonstrate that if He wants something to happen, it will happen. It was humbling to be humbled by God.

And is God at work at in this church? Well, over 15 people came on Saturday on short notice to put in the borders, and mulch. It was below freezing, and these men - in age from 7 to Mr. Stillwell - worked together. They were driving stakes into frozen ground and hauling tons of mulch so the children will be safe if they fall.

I can't say I have ever seen such seamless work among individuals, and my respect and gratitude for the members of the church - particularly the building committee and deacons - just grew bigger than I thought it could. It was Love in action and in flesh.

The phrase of the day that knocked down my cynical self was from a new member of our church, whom I just met that day, and as far as I know doesn't have young children to directly benefit from this. When I thanked him for coming and helping, with sweat on his forehead and smile on his face he said: "Oh, I wouldn't miss it."

And I almost missed. By choosing mistrust, I almost missed the opportunity to enjoy community, to expect great things, to expect great love - as it showed up on that Saturday morning and in all the emails and coordination between the playground committee, Elders, deacons, and building committee [many of you in this room]. And ultimately I didn’t expect God to do what he laid on the hearts of people to do.

But God didn't let me miss Him. As when Thomas the disciple doubted - God met Him where he was at in his doubt, in love, to show Him he was alive. And I feel like that is what God did with this project for me. God put me in a place where he could meet me in my doubt and cynicism to prove that He was alive in my life and at RPC, and that His love and care for me and for His people is real.

So this is my story, and here is my hope for you when you see the playground.

First, Christ said 2000 years ago "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them" - and He is still saying it now. The playground is an invitation to children to know Christ in the fullness of their energy and imagination. Let's not hinder them. Let the play structure be a reminder of that and of our promise, when children are baptized or dedicated, to foster their growth in the faith.

Second, God saw a need for the children to have a play space, and He saw a need in me to see Him at work. And He made it happen. I'd encourage you to think: What is in your heart or mind that simply won’t let you go? Maybe God is making way in your life to meet you where you are as well, and I would ask you to consider acting in the way He is calling you.

And when you see the play structure, let it remind you of someone whom God met lovingly and assuredly in her doubt, proved Himself strongly, and how Love in action won the day."