Volume 24: Rest in Cultivation

 

In working for Camp Ozark, we talk a lot about "cultivation." I had never really given much thought to it until all of our leadership meetings. Specifically, cultivating relationships. I think it's always been a part of my life, but I never had the word for it.

On Friday, I got to see MERRY GRACE! And it blessed me. Unfortunately, we only had a couple of hours together, but I will take what I can get! As I think about my time with Merry Grace, I am really thankful for her friendship. 

For our seven years of friendship, we have never lived in the same city (even tho we almost did...). Yet, she is one of my closest friends - one who understands me, one who listens well, one who constantly challenges me, encourages me, and holds me accountable. 

How does that happen? Such a valued friendship states away throughout the years?

Because Merry Grace is the epitome of someone who cultivates relationships. 

In my first summer at camp, I remember the day she walked into my cabin and took me out to the porch to sit and talk with me about my parents' wreck. Looking back on it, her willingness to care for me and pray with me was one of the main reasons I was willing to stay and stick through my commitment.

Whenever she would come to recruit in Athens, we would go to dinner and she would ask questions about my life. She would remember the updates - it never felt like we were just having the same conversations over and over again. Despite a lot of time passing between when we saw each other, it was if we did life together. 

When I was deciding whether or not to go back to camp for my second summer, I can remember standing in the RaceTrac parking lot and Merry Grace calling me, encouraging me that I was valued and wanted back to be on the leadership team. 

In 2020 I didn't want to leave the safe bubble of camp and go back into the unknowns of teaching and covid, but Merry Grace sat with me and reminded me of the truth and that my students needed me to show up. 

This past summer, when I was struggling, I would call Merry Grace and would hang up the phone, filled with encouragement and reminded of the purpose in what I was doing. She's the kind of friend that helps you to find a solution, not allowing you to give up or sit in self pity. 

Year after year, she's a friend that invests. That cares. That is by my side. The ultimate cultivator! 

And it's because of her example that I am a firm believer in putting in the effort to cultivate relationships. To continue to check in and show up. To walk alongside others as we continue our human efforts to reflect the light of Christ into this broken world. 

May we put in the work into our relationships! Just maybe, the more intentional we are with the humans around us, the more wisdom we will gain of how to deepen our relationship with Jesus. 

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In other news, this week, I have been challenged to release my desire for consistency. It's becoming a common theme of my life - needing to accept that change can be good. Growing up, I faced moments of change that were difficult, and it's been hard for me to re-evaluate the way I welcome change and inconsistency in my life. 

This week, I reread one of my favorite books - the Insanity of God. Talk about some crazy testimonies of faith... Real stories of people facing intense persecution for their faith. I also watched the season 3 finale of the Chosen (absolutely BEAUTIFUL) and Philip and Andrew were causing an uproar in Decapolis after preaching the gospel. 

And here I am, in my safe, comfortable bubble, free to share my faith and literally going to a movie theatre to watch a show about Jesus... And yet I am so quick to be frustrated when my routine isn't exactly how I want it to be. So may I continually be open to being stretched, and not run from it. 

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Photos that have blessed me this week:

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Quote from church:

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands; you need to be able throw something back." - Maya Angelou

Let's catch God's love for us and then throw it out to others this week ok!!!!