I had planned to get there early. The guest speaker at the family church camp was someone who had worked with foster children. Since I am working on a book about the foster care crisis in our country, I am eager to hear his perspective. But as is often the case, I left home later than intended. By the time I'd made the hour and a half drive to the camp and parked, church services had already started.

Making our way to the chapel, we could hear singing coming from inside. Finding a seat, I settled in just as the speaker started...just in time! But minutes into his presentation, he gave an assignment to pray silently over a verse for the next 15 minutes. I'll have to admit. I  was disappointed. Not that I'm opposed to prayer but in my rush to leave, I didn't even have my Bible with me, leaving me a bit ill-prepared. Besides, I was all geared up to hear him speak! But it was not going to happen this morning.

Since my daughter and grandson had traveled with me and our little one wasn't quiet, they were waiting outside. So gathering my purse, I exited. We decided to wander toward the children's area where all the children would be playing during the church service. We could surely find toys for my grandson to entertain himself.

As we approached, we could hear a baby crying. Entering the cabin, we observed two young adults caring for five babies. Each was holding a baby which left two babies playing quietly and one baby who was not happy at all. As my grandson found toys, I offered to be the extra set of arms to hold the crying baby. The young lady looked at me with relief, "You don't mind?"

"Of course not, I'm happy to." The little guy wasn't to be comforted though so after going through all my tricks of the trade, trying every position I could, the little guy finally called it quits and fell asleep slung over my arm facing out and downward. For the duration of the service, I dared not move him from that position as he slept.

After the parents came to gather their children, I thought of how God often uses us in ways we hadn't planned...behind the scenes. That baby's parents had no idea that their infant was upset but God knew. And he knew that an extra set of hands was needed in the nursery. It caused me to reflect on the many times the "behind the scenes" people are needed. The stage crew who puts all the details into a play that make it so successful, the water boys who make sure athletes don't get dehydrated during the big game, the crew that arrives ahead of the band to set up the equipment for the concert....and what about the great crowd of witnesses referred to in Hebrews 12:1...talk about being behind the scenes!

Yes, we need the front-runners, the leaders, the stars, and the great speakers but they couldn't do it without those who take care of the hundreds of details behind the scenes. And so, at the end of the day as we loaded into the car to drive home, I wasn't all that disappointed. I didn't get to hear the great speaker but I did get the honor of working behind the scenes for the great Creator.