Patience. Prayer. Peace. Rest.

Away from camp, you go to restaurants, you have all these choices that you don't know what to do with...things that aren't necessities, just luxuries. And they've been there the whole time, taunting natural things. You get angry at them. You wish them away. You get mad at the world, full of luxury, somewhat spoiled; sometimes with no eyes for nature's subtle, beautiful peace and balance. You get mad at people with all these choices, and it takes most of the strength in you (One, because you're exhausted from a full week of camp. Two, because you're going through fresh air withdrawal and the lady in the booth across from you has a strong, rancid girly-perfume that is suffocating your senses just at little bit.) to not stand up and yell at them (when they can't decide what to order) saying "Do you know how lucky you are to even have choices, to touch food in front of you, with the perfect mood lighting at the Italian Grill that makes you feel calm, special, important, in the moment? Light that some only see from the sun and the moon, the occasional thunderstorm? Did ya ever think that they might be the lucky ones?"

I find that I'm down and out on Fridays when our camp staff meeting comes around, because I miss the campers. They bring out selfless acts in people. Teach us kindness, patience, love, prayer. It was a frustrating week for some. And others are sick, run-down, stressed out. Having to care for, or living to care for someone else is a hefty selfless act. I sometimes get frustrated when we're skipping up and down after campers leave, ready to grab a soda, put on some makeup, spend money, have choices, be picky. And I'm a hypocrite. But loving others is giving light to the world...where mood lighting and whiffs of perfume are distracting. This is what we remember when we walk into another week, another Sunday, another set of campers, awkward, apprehensive, and homesick before a small or large transformation when Friday comes around. Another group of God's children, all of us.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

- Mark 10:13-16

Thankful for the rest He gives us and the peace He brings.