Time With God – Naomi Thompson

But then we get a surprise from the boy or family that you just don’t expect it from.  A number of years ago, Bill Stevenson the then Brigade Secretary visited 2^nd Antrim.  As he asked our Company boys what the best thing was about coming to BB – the usual answers ensued – sports, making a Monopoly Board, making chocolate cake… and then came this – learning about God and church; this from a boy who didn’t come to church but had faithfully attended BB for many years.  Or hearing this from a parent whose boy unfortunately is leaving us as he gained a scholarship to Eton – “He loves BB very much and tries his best to go every time. I believe the BB time will be one of his best memories.” This boy is from a different belief system who again faithfully attended for 8 years, including the Enrolment and Battalion Services.

So, what do we learn – we simply must be faithful to our role – To advance Christ’s kingdom amongst the boys in our care, and there can be impact we just don’t know about. So, as it says in 1 Corinthians 3: 6-8

^‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour.’

So as we meet our boys, our role is to plant the seed.  Plant it through our openings, our crafts, our times of fellowship and worship, and our activities.  Plant it by being supportive and encouraging to the boys as they grow, so they know God loves them, died for them and saves them.  Plant it by being a role model of faith as well as in what we say; but ultimately God will make the seed grow.  So keep faithful in word or action and plant the seed, as God is working to make it grow.

Naomi Thompson

Officer 2^nd Antrim BB