Volume 73: Rest in Ski Trips

 

I have a letter that Mike wrote to me a couple of years ago taped in the back of my Bible. It says: 

"I don't remember much about Ski Trip 2014. I don't remember if I was excited for it or dreading it. I don't remember if it turned out to be a great trip or a forgettable one. I certainly did not know that God would change your life, my life and the countless lives through something he'd start that weekend. But that's how He works...."

This letter serves as my continual reminder that we never know how God may use us! Even when we are not trying... God used Mike in such a big way that weekend, and yet, Mike wasn't set out on a mission of "This weekend, I will change Morgan Maier's life!!" Instead, he led our group with contagious humility, encouragement and passion. 

I just returned from my tenth ski trip and it continues to amaze me how refreshed I feel when I get home from the weekend. Skiing isn't quite my definition of rest... especially when most of the day is spent following the new skiers and helping them get up fall after fall...

But the weekend is so much more than skiing. It's a weekend of being reunited with my youth family. 

With leaders that each utilize their individual God-given gifts and serve selflessly. 

With a group of kids who love one another and spend 30 minutes encouraging each other.

 
With seniors that have been coming for years and 7th graders experiencing their first youth trip.

I (unfortunately) didn't join this 3C family until my junior year of high school. And even then, I put up a fight because I didn't want to be the only kid from my grade on the ski trip...

But a group of seniors invited me! And they were persistent until I eventually gave in! On the trip, they welcomed me in and made me feel included, and I immediately noticed that there was something different, something beautiful about this Christian community. 

What if they didn't invite me! They had every right to say "ehh, it's our last one together! We want it to just be us!" Instead, they extended an invitation that ended up putting me on the best path to this life!

So here's to Summer Dawn, Hope and Katherine! For bringing in a young junior and loving me well!

May we be bold and quick to extend invitations!

After that ski trip, the rest is history! They couldn't get rid of me if they tried! And now, ski trip has been one of the most consistent things in my life. 

Navigating senior year of high school and college decisions? Ski trip was a safe place.

Going off to college and building new community? Ski trip was a safe place.

Losing a childhood best friend? Ski trip was a safe place. 

Graduating college and entering into adulthood? Ski trip was a safe place. 

Coming out of a pandemic in a new city where there wasn't much community? Ski trip was a safe place.

Overwhelmed by decisions and real world stresses? Ski trip was a safe place. 

For me, personally, it is always a weekend for me to recalibrate and remember God's goodness in my life. 

To remember where I started and all that God has done for me. 

A reminder of the importance of showing up.

A reminder of the importance of speaking up. 

A reminder of the importance of giving back. 

Three of my "life sermons" originate back to that first ski trip. And resurface year after year. 

God works in moments! Lives can literally change in a day! In a second! 

This week, in our Ash Wednesday service, we were reminded of how life is fleeting. If we hold too tightly, it will slip right through our hands, yet it is still full of meaning. May we take the time to really think about how we can best spend this one, fragile life we have! 

God will change lives at Camp Ozark! And in hospitals in Greenville! And in Chattanooga counseling sessions! And in neighborhoods in Arlington! 

May we show up, speak up and give back wherever God has us!

We never know how our words or actions just might be exactly what someone around us needs in that moment. It won't always click. But when it does, whew it is WORTH IT!