Last week is a
blur. Being out of town for 4 days and then jumping feet first into
preparations for Carolyn’s college graduation, followed by VBS camp and normal
Sunday services makes for little memory.
That is the local stuff add to that the mass shooting in Orlando and the
death of the 2 year old at Disney it just seems like summer is extra full of
life, living and death.
Camp is one of those things that
I dread and delight at the same time. As I have gotten older it takes more
mental preparation to be around 40 children for three days and two nights. Every
year I am reminded that many of their behaviors are not person specific but
rather by age. Ten year olds all behave generally in a certain way. As an
example, all of the children cannot wait until we go swimming. We do this after
lunch on Friday and Saturday for 2 hours. With little exception they can hardly
sit down and eat lunch before they are wanting to go change clothes, put on sunscreen
and get their towels. This happens not only with pool time but with whatever is
“next.” Every year after about 30 minutes in the pool one young camper will ask
if they can get out and what’s next. They are always ready for the next thing
even before they really explore the present thing. That happens every year.
In a new twist this year cell
phones and tablets made their appearance and distraction among the 5-6 graders
and some 3-4 graders. They were not to bring them but they did. It’s epidemic
across ages. I believe it is just a continuation of the child-like tendency to
be looking for the next thing without experiencing the present thing. I guess
it is my age showing as I am just trying to get up to speed with what is
happening right now. It seems like I can’t just get there before I have to move
on to something else. It might also be a question of trust.
Let me explain, kids seem to as
a whole be looking forward without appreciating the present. They are ready to
do the next thing. Like these camp children do every year. They ask when will
they have free time and then wonder when it will be over because they are
bored. But adults do the same thing when we worry about what will happen of
dwell on what did happen without taking in with deep breaths what is happening.
Years ago a lyric proclaimed “everybody’s working for the weekend.” We are
looking forward instead of right where we are. Now I am not suggesting we
should keep our heads down at our feet. But when was the last time you lived
the moment out to the fullest? When was the last time you squeezed out every
last drop of life out of a day? It is a question of trust.
Believers say “God is in
control,” and yet we worry. Hmm, worry suggests control has shifted to us and
no longer God. Yet he asks us to trust him. We can trust him in our everyday
goings and our future as well. This moment will never be repeated and if we
believe God, we have been brought here to this time and place by design. His
design is for our good and his Glory. So, why not just enjoy this moment to the
fullest not bothered by the past that grace covers over nor by the future that
is provided by faith in Jesus. If I do that then I can slow down in each moment
and enjoy life right then and there. Once again it’s a trust thing with me. How
about you?
In
HIS service and yours,
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