Volume 139: Rest in Refined

 

Back in December, during Rapid Fire, I sat in Debbie's office, a familiar spot, and we talked about my future with Camp Ozark. In my headspace of constantly going back and forth between wanting to keep working for camp and moving on from camp, I was numb to most things we discussed... 

But what stuck with me the most was Debbie's comment about being refined. She stated that the reason she has continued to work for camp year after year is because even though it's hard, she believes that God refines her through her work every summer and off season. 

At the end of this summer, I sat in Debbie's office (new office location but same folded out red chair) and we talked about the summer wrapping up. We reflected on the summer and the way we had both been refined. Debbie spoke the rhetorical question, "Why do I have to keep being refined, God????"

The next morning, in our Bible reading reflection, Paul David Tripp wrote: "He refines us so that the only explanation for the way we live is that we have been touched by the power of his refining grace. May we love refining grace more than we love our comfort. And may he grant us the grace to live not for our own glory but for his."

Refined. 

In a Google search, refined means "In the Bible, "refining" is often used metaphorically to describe God's process of purifying and strengthening believers through trials and tribulations. It's a process of removing impurities (both literal and figurative) to produce a more desirable and valuable outcome."

When Debbie was using being refined as an attempt to convince me to stay at camp, I was quick to rebuke it with the thought that God can refine me anywhere in anything that I am doing.

And while that is technically true, she was on to something... It really is a gift to be refined in a place like Camp Ozark, where I am surrounded by amazing people and serving a Kingdom focused mission! 

As I now attempt to begin reflecting on this summer, I can say without a doubt that I was strengthened through the ups and the downs. 

Overall, this was one of the best summers I've had in a while! 

With going into the summer thinking it was my last, I was forced to release my grip on parts of my job and let others help. Which of course, was what I needed to do all along..

I only cried like TWO times related to stress from work!! 😮 That deserves a round of applause!!!! 

Here's to growth! And surrender! And becoming stronger mentally and physically. 

And here's to the people that God has placed in my path in this work as a means of refining! Because as I watch all of you, Unpluggers, serve at camp each summer, I learn so much from the example you set!

I learn from Yellerton's selfless service! She literally works allll day long, never taking a break because she doesn't have time to! In addition to her already full plate, she takes on other people's responsibilities to help others out. Whether sending a ping to the SODs every day to make sure they know what to do, to printing memos last minute, to running down to the office to do the Birthday Bash staff assignments, to talking to staff members, to everything in between. She is always serving others and does it with joy. 

I learn from Jenna's cool calm and collected presence all summer long. Helping out with schedule changes or calling Disco Daze Bingo or managing the nannies or overseeing Main Camp camper monitoring or answering many questions about the store... none of which are under the job description of an "accountant." But as she told me once, she tries to never decline someone who asks for help because she knows everyone has a lot on their plate! She stays steady and even keeled and never complains! 

I learn from Debbie's "attack" mentality - never just sitting back and watching. During our 5th Session Opening Day Staff meeting with the girls, Debbie told them that she had a fourth word to add to Scott's professionalism P's. Before she spoke it, I was 100% confident that I knew what she was going to say, so I whispered to Bentley next to me, "prayer!"... yet what came out of Debbie's mouth was "ATTACK!"... Once I got over the shock of being wrong... I thought about it and Debbie really does just that... she steps up to get things done, never settles for average, and challenges us all to be our best, while supporting us fully! After 30+ years of doing this, she could be complacent but instead she attacks each day, with prayer as a priority of course! 

For example:

I learn from Frannie's hospitality and the way she cares for the people around her, especially the international staff. She is a support system for them all and pushes them to grow. I admire the way she holds everyone to a high standard, believing fully that they can reach it and she's not afraid to give out tough love when they are not meeting that standard. She takes care of other people's needs and puts them above her own! From the bigger things of helping Conor get a flight home after his family member died to the smaller things of letting me store some things in her closet over the off season. Everyone needs a Frannie in their corner!

I learn from Ali's excellence in all things! This past week, we had to keep Ali humble as all the OTX girl P-Staff were fan-girling over her presence in their midst. But it reminded me that we are LUCKY to have someone like Ali at Camp Ozark! Her ability to keep our whole organization organized, lead meetings, make agendas, and set the standard. Her leadership is one of earning the right to be heard, not driven by fear. She's got a million things on her to-do list but always takes the time to get to know a camper or staff member's name. Never does anything half-heartedly!

And the list of people goes beyond the Unpluggers! I learn a lot from so many amazing people at Ozark. I know I am very fortunate to work alongside such extraordianry folks!

All in all, here's to all the moments and people that contributed to my refinement this summer!

But most importantly, of course, here's to the Lord! For His mighty hand and outstretched arm and good plan! The one I learn the most from! The one who I can center my whole life around and He will never let me down.

Yesterday, we read in Jeremiah 9:24 - "let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Boast in knowing God! Amen! 

In the summer, it's easy to fall into pride... I am working so hard! I am doing more than others! I am helping others! 

But none of that matters, if not done for glory of Him who deserves it all! 

Peace out, Mt. Ida!