August 20, 2026 – Daily Devotional
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” -John 15:12
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to direct the St. Luke’s summer camp production of Madagascar Kids for Poteet Theatre. I’ve been doing this camp for several years now, and it has become one of my favorite parts of the summer. This year we had 64 students spend two weeks learning songs, dances, lines, and everything that goes into putting on a musical. It’s a lot of work, but every year I walk away learning something too.
On the first day of camp, the kids are always a little unsure. They don’t know each other yet. They’re shy, nervous, and trying to figure out where they fit in. But it never takes long. By the end of the two weeks, they’re laughing together, cheering each other on, and hugging goodbye because they don’t want camp to end.
What amazed me most was how naturally they cared for one another. They invited each other to sit together at lunch. They celebrated each other’s successes without jealousy. They expressed themselves freely without fear of being judged. They forgave disagreements almost as quickly as they happened and then went right back to playing together. They welcomed new friends without hesitation and were never afraid to be joyful.
As I watched them, I couldn’t help but wonder: When do we lose that instinct? At what point do we begin believing that kindness has to be earned?
Somewhere along the way, we get more cautious. We become slower to trust, slower to encourage, and sometimes even slower to include others. Watching them reminded me of the kind of heart Jesus calls us to have.
What would it look like if we celebrated someone else’s success without comparison, welcomed someone new without hesitation, or offered encouragement without expecting anything in return?
The beautiful thing about those kids was that they weren’t trying to be a light. They weren’t thinking about making a difference or checking off a list of ways to love others. They were simply being themselves and, in doing so, they reflected something that Christ calls us to have in our own hearts.
I am grateful for those 64 students who reminded me that loving others doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness are the ways God’s love shines the brightest.
Madison Woods, Edmond Campus Director of Welcoming Ministries
