Volume 38: Rest in Interruptions
Yesterday, we welcomed our Session B campers! I can't believe we are already through one full week! It all happens so fast - from pre camp setup to staff orientation and then BOOM kids are here! And it can feel like there's barely any time to process that the summer has officially begun.
It can be hard to slow down at camp, as different things are thrown at you from each and every direction throughout the day. But may I seek out the small moments that I am able to slow down and fully appreciate what's around me.
Last night, I found myself in the middle of the stream of campers walking back to their cabins and couldn't help but smile at the chaos that ensued around me. The little girl next to me that was pretending to trip, causing the people behind her to run into each other. The youngest boys cabin screaming for no reason. The girls singing behind me.
Or on the shuttle when I was driving some families and the little boy saw the waterfront and said "wow!" When no one immediately acknowledged him, he continued to exclaim, "Wow! Wow! Wow! Do you see that!" To which is Mom finally addressed him. What pure wonder and awe of what he saw.
But then there's the moments that I fail at slowing down, as my mind is racing of all the things that need to be done.
Yesterday morning, I was determined to get to my assignment on time (I accidentally MISSED it last week!!!!). I had four minutes to put on my navy skirt (of course, I wait until the last minute to change into it) and get to the bus.
Well I changed and was ready to go to the bus. I was going to be on time!
Low and behold, Jenna walks up to my office and states, "I was coming to say hello!"
To which I said "Hey Jenna! So sorry but I have to go or I will be late!!" And I run off...
And then.....
Jenna strolls up to the bus....
She later explains "I was just coming to walk with you.."
OOPS! My rushed mind kept me from seeing Jenna right in front of me!!!
And while of course, I need to be on time... Jenna may have been a minute late... I also want to work on slowing down when I can.
A lot of my role here at camp is unplanned, things that I can't control or plan for. Staff coming up to me and asking a range of questions all throughout the day.
Often times, I am quickly frustrated rather than compassionate.
But today, I am humbled... in just two chapters of Matthew - 7 and 8 - we read the MULTIPLE accounts of Jesus being interrupted...
"When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean"....
"When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him"....
"And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever"....
"And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way"....
"And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed"....
"And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"....
"While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live."....
"And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."....
Whether on a journey or walking into a house or reclining at a table or getting off of a boat, Jesus was constantly dealing with people. People with a variety of diseases and hurt and brokenness.
Yet, he always showed compassion.
He always took the time to love them.
He was patient, never making them feel like a burden.
He never sent them away without hearing them.
Matthew 8 ends with:
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
What a beautiful and humble opportunity it is to be a laborer in Jesus's kingdom that He is building. May I do my part and strive to become like him as I interact with the staff and campers at camp this summer!
Favorite moment of the week!
At All Girls Lifeline on Friday night, they sang You Say by Lauren Daigle and whew, was it beautiful to hear all of the girls, from 6 years old to 16 singing out:
Having a bad day? Debbie would like to remind you to remember that at least you're not Corrie Ten Boom ok! But that being said, if you haven't read The Hiding Place, bump it to the top of your list now!
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