Currently the cord on my laptop is frayed. It either refuses to work, or it emits a set of really amusing sparks. Both are useless when it comes to seeing the files on the computer. So I have to choose whether or not to buckle down and purchase a new one, or try to manuever the old one and tape it into a working position. So please be patient with these postings.
However its getting to be about that time. That sweet and precious time of the year where it doesn't matter if everything I have breaks, or if the boss man is mad. It's camp time. A week of pointless games, two sermons a day, with a bit of abnormally good food peppered in. I can't wait. I remember going to camp as a boy. I would look forward to it all year, whenever classmates would bring up their summer plans they always seemed silly compared to what I was going to do.
Now that I'm somewhat older camp takes on a different meaning. I dont have children, or a wife. All of my friends and people I would like to speak to will be there with me. So the phone stays off, the computer though broken, is tucked away and waiting for me to come back and decide how to fix it. No radio, television, e-mail or cursing people to deliver parts to. For five solid days life is the way it should be, without worldly influences.
But the biggest change I think is the work. I used to look up to people like Bro. Lentz who would share a cabin with a bunch of boys, not of voice among us not cracking from our age, and would give lessons and devotions. He wouldnt just tell you to behave a certain way because thats the way the Bible said but he taught in a way that made you think that he wanted you to follow God because he loves God and you and that he only wanted the best for those under his voice. Obedience to the Lord was not only the smartest thing but its the only thing to do. The work Pastor and the many other workers would do, most of it when no one was looking. A kitchen full of women leave their homes and families to work in a stuffy and hot kitchen to serve a line of pushing hungry children, lined up according to cabin cleanliness. But its on this side of the fence that I've stop looking up to these people, and started to set them up as the example to follow. Often I still need encouragement from these people, but mostly I'm learning from them. not by their words so much but by their actions in how they teach. It's funny as I go into teaching a class, I'm looking at all the other teachers, hoping i could do atleast half as well with my lesson as I know they will. I want to serve the Lord with the same fervor and excellence that God allowed those He touched my life with.
I've slowly started to take 5 minute scripture breaks at work. I find that I'm growing fond of that time with the Lord. It's time away from the bickering and dirty jokes told when I'm not in sight so as not to harm my christian ears. So whenever I see someone head outside with their lighter in hand, i dig into my pocket and pull out the worn pocket KJV and have myself a break with the Lord. We need the time away from that poisen that the world spews out. That was always a bonus to camp. No poisen, and if someone tried to tell a dirty joke, or acted worldly it seemed out of place. It kind of makes you long for Heaven where there will be no sin, no discomfort or feeling outnumbered.
Its going to be a great week, I wonder what God will accomplish in that time. And I pray that some of that work may be done through me. What a blessing it is, when God chooses us from the dirty rags, to care for these children. Not our strength, not our glory, no happier way to spend your life.