Two summers ago, I had the privilege of being a counselor for teen girls at Word of Life Island. I can say that without a doubt, my experience there taught me more about life than anything else to which God has led me.

Here are four very important lessons God taught me on that island.

We won’t always see the end result.

Yes, there were plenty of campers who trusted Christ on that island. Yes, many of my girls had their faith renewed in a way that will keep them pursuing Christ for years to come. But there are always the campers who get home, and instantly switch gears into reverse. One drawback of connecting with these campers on social media is that you get to see the quick downward spiral. And let me warn you: there is nothing more discouraging. But something else you may never see is that one faithless camper who comes to know Jesus Christ months, even years, after their time at camp.

And maybe, just maybe, this was sparked by the Jesus in you. Only God knows the outcome. We are called to be faithful in the present. That is the very best we can do.

How to put my boyfriend on the back-burner.

When our camp director suggested doing this at the beginning of the summer, I thought he was crazy. Why would I put my relationship with one of the most important people in my life on hold in order to do my job? I decided to give it a shot. It wasn’t always easy, working in two completely different ministry circles. I missed him and I cried a lot. But those occasional looks we would exchange and those few precious days off meant so much more knowing that we were 100% focused on the tasks that God had laid out in front of us.

You know you have successfully moved a relationship to the back-burner when several acquaintances find the need to ask, “are you two still together?”

One of my more, shall we say, bold campers asked me once when my boyfriend walked by, why he barely even acknowledged me. I pointed around the dining hall at several other couples who were having “dish pit dates” as we would call them. I said “See? They aren’t paying attention to their campers.” And then I asked her, “What am I doing?”. “Paying attention to your campers…” she answered.

But what I was able to show her and Lord willing, most of my other campers, was that there are some things more important than a dating relationship. Namely, them. That dating relationship is now over. But choosing to focus my energies on my campers and not on him is one regret I won’t have to live with.

People are more important than sleep

It seems obvious, but when you are running on 5 hours of sleep week after week, sometimes sleep seems irresistible. Now hear me. I am not saying that we should neglect all personal care and just go hard 24/7. But what I am pointing out is that for whatever reason, we face our most burning questions late at night. These questions can’t go unanswered.

One particular situation that is forever in my memory was one night after my co-counselor and I stayed up until 2:00 am answering question after question from our girls. Their bodies were tired, but their minds were wide awake. But we finally decided to call it a night. As the lights were going out, one of my very put-together campers approached me with tears in her eyes.

“I know it's late and you need sleep, but…” I didn’t even let her finish.

"You are more important”, I said as went outside to talk.

And lastly….

The Gospel is worth every....

Head cold

Mosquito bite

Cough drop

Early morning alarm

Jesus is worth every…

Tear of exhaustion

Fear of failure

Moment of doubt