Where do you go when 60 mile per hour winds threaten the campground where you are staying at 11:00 on a Saturday night? I cannot speak for everyone, but we made our way to a concrete bathhouse across the way from our fifth-wheel camper.

Awkward in our pajamas, we joined several other people in the small shower and toilet combination room. We laughed together because they were in their pajamas, too.

Small talk led to introductions, and we discovered that we were sharing the space with the gospel singing group, Measures of Grace, which was scheduled to sing at a local church the next morning.

What do gospel singing groups do? They sing praise to the Lord; so, as people propped on toilets and tuned to pitches on their phones, we started to sing – hymns, old gospel songs, and newer praise songs. What sweet harmony! 

We had a glorious time worshiping our Lord,

in a bathroom,

at a campground,

at 11:00 on a Saturday night.

God has a way of surprising us with blessings when we least expect it, and that is exactly what happened that night. The rain poured down outside, the thunder and lightning were impressive, and the wind screamed through the nearby trees, but we were safe with new friends as we enjoyed the sweet grace of God. We returned to our camper refreshed by the fellowship.

We were not the first people to have a ‘songs in the night’ experience. Paul and Silas sang praises to God at midnight in the Philippian jail. Their songs praised God and ministered to the prisoners around them.

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25).

I prefer the campground bathroom to a prison, but the message is the same – praise God wherever you are. Whatever the circumstances, it is always the right time to praise Him.

When storms rage around me and circumstances threaten, I plan to remember a Saturday night in the Millwood Creek State Park bathroom, and I will look up to praise the God of the storm.

Psalm 92:1-2 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: ² To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Photo – Lake Sunset, Beth Mims