Adult Camp

“Just remember kids, you are your ancestor’s wildest dreams." ~ Deborah Roberts

Dear Mom,

How are you?  I am fine.  They made us write a letter; which is so 1970’s.  Txting would have been so much easier.  You should follow me on twitter.  Wait!  Never mind.

Camp Adulthood is okay.  They make us work a lot, but weekends are fun.  We’re learning about responsibilities and paying bills (on time).  #boring!

For me, adulthood is a lifestyle option.  I can take up adult responsibilities, or I can just pick up an Xbox and decide not to start a career or have a committed adult relationship.

I’m learning how to balance my checkbook.  Honestly, I don’t know why that’s important.  I just put money in and hope enough money comes out.  Isn’t the bank supposed to keep track of my money?  Adulthood is so monopolus.

Our Camp Counselor insists that we develop a budget.  #Pointless!  I spend money on clothes and food, going to see overpriced movies, and sipping delicious drinks at downtown bars.  Worries about rent, gas and the practicalities of life came in dead last on my budgetary to-do list.

We’ve learned few laundry tips.  Did you know that whites and darks should not be washed together?  Or that laundry needs to go from the washer to the dryer in a reasonable amount of time, or it will mold?  #Whoknew!

Some stuff is fun – like driving a car.  But most is plain stupid like basic car care (changing a flat tire, using jumper cables, replacing wiper blades).  That’s why Uber and Lyft were invented.

The food here isn’t as good as your cooking.  After doing my laundry and finishing a few other chores, I’ll skip cooking and pick up fast food at the fancy Thai place down the street.  And why bother making coffee?  It’s far more chic to pay a professional.

Trying to ‘adult’ is wildly confusing.  I can't figure out if I'm supposed to start a non-profit, get another degree, or somehow travel the world and make it look effortless online.

I’ve been putting a lot of thought into this and I don’t think being an adult is going to work for me.  Please come get me – this camp feels like foreeeeeeever!

Marriage, children, a paying job and a home are the traditional signs of adulthood. Take an economic collapse that targeted young people, combine it with a growing culture of individualism and narcissism, and the result is that these markers are fading.

And while its easy (and admittedly fun to poke fun at Millennials sometimes), here are a few additional truths.  Research shows that Millennnials are: (1) more likely to be employed due to the rapid growth of female employment, (2) more likely to obtain higher levels of education, (3) more ethnically and racially diverse, and (4) learning that accruing too much “stuff” is its own burden.

Millennial, I pray that you wake each morning knowing you have work to do that this world desperately needs.  Never shy away from giving it all you’ve got.  Amen

Our Father

“God sent his Son into our hearts; we can rightly speak of God as our Father." ~ Galatians 4:6

There’s a path through a wooded area near our cottage where I often take long walks.  It’s partly for exercise but mostly to clear my brain of earthly clutter and unresolved thoughts.

Amongst the carpet of autumn leaves lies tranquility; one perfect for solitude and prayer.  The Lord’s Prayer came to mind today – not the words, but their deepest meaning.

“Our Father” – two simple words, so rich in context that it’s hard to overrate their importance.  Too often I’ve glossed right over them, barely thinking.

OUR Father - the Father not only of Christ but of all of us; not mine alone - but ours.  This makes me less selfish and more conscious of those around me and extends to everything I see, hear and feel: the birds, the trees, the loam under my feet.  We’re all connected to “Our Father.”   When we pray, we worship with all creation: people of all colors, ages, tribes, tongues, customs and personalities.  I can’t say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it with others.

To call God “FATHER” means, that he is near us, intimately concerned with us, fond of us, even crazy about us.  He’s not a distant god created to instruct by virtue of natural law.

No, the God whom Jesus calls Father, cares about us and knows each of us personally.  He loves us more than we love ourselves and knows us better than we know ourselves.  He longs for us know Him not merely as an Almighty Power, but a living, loving person; not merely an alluring destiny, but a father who delights in the love of His children, who wishes to shape us into His own likeness, and make us fellow-warriors.

When we pray, “Our Father,” we’re appealing for an intimate relationship.  My own daughter refers to me as her father, of course.  But there are precious times when even as a grown woman, she still calls me Daddy (and not always when she wants a favor).  It never fails to warm my heart and, yes, make me even more willing than ever to make her dreams come true.

I can’t say FATHER if I don’t trust Him, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when He knows is best.  A good father doesn’t protect his children forever from the harsh realities of life, but helps them as they progress through various stages of development to face the challenges and grow through the difficulties.  But He’ll never leave us to fight our battles alone.

With each stride my mind becomes clearer; more resolute, more in step with Our Father.

May He bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and bring you peace today.

Our Father in heaven: May Your holy name be honored; may Your Kingdom be revealed; may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen (Good News Translation)

Pizza Man

“Let love be genuine; cling to goodness." ~ Roman 12:9

According to Ron, there was no pizza on earth better than Valentino’s.  Its dough was the perfect combination of light inside yet crunchy on the bottom.  The toppings were fresh and odorous; the mozzarella was fresh within a few hours of when it was made.

It’d been the only place he could think of to take Emily for their first date.  Not so classy she felt intimidated and not so down-market she felt cheated.

So for husband’s 56th birthday, Emily planned a trip back to Omaha to treat themselves to their “gold standard’ pizza parlor.  No matter how many pizza options were available in Des Moines, they never stopped dreaming about Valentino’s, the place they used to splurge on decades earlier when they were struggling to make ends meet.  It had never faded from their memories, or their taste buds.

The couple's planned nostalgic getaway was interrupted by a trip to the ICU, where they learned Ron's battle with cancer was nearing the end.  The oncologist’s words cut deeper than the Mariana Trench.  “Terminal ... hospice ... comfort care only.  No more walks in the park, no more birthdays to share, and of course, no more Valentino’s pepperoni and mushrooms.

Knowing how much those cheesy slices meant to the grieving couple, their son Aaron made a call to the restaurant and explained the situation.  "Maybe they’d send a card or even an overnight frozen delivery,” he thought.

But instead of a note, he got a question:  “What kind of pies would you like delivered?”

Dalton, the 18-year-old boy on the other end of the line, seized the opportunity to get the couple their pizzas, regardless of the 150 miles separating them.

True to his promise, Dalton packed up 4 pizzas after the store closed at 11:00 p.m. and hopped into his car.  When he finally reached the hospital more than two hours later, he merely dropped the pies off, turning down payment, gas money, and offers to stay the night at a hotel paid for by the family.

Instead Dalton drove home because he had to work later that day.  His manager only found out about it when Ron's son’s Facebook post went viral; Dalton had wanted it to be kept "kinda low key.”  Remarkably kind and humble – you don’t see enough of that these days.

Anne Frank, a young girl who knew wartime darkness, once said, “How great it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

It reminds me of the power of random acts of kindness, and how through each act, hope is reborn every time.  The great news is that generosity doesn’t command expensive gifts or herculean efforts like Dalton’s epic middle of the night pizza delivery.  One simple act can bring unexpected sunshine into someone’s life.  It’s a gift we can all afford to give!

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is doubt, faith; where there’s despair, hope; where there’s darkness, light; where there’s sadness; joy.” ~ St. Francis

Cathedral Thinking

“Don’t store treasures on earth; save them in heaven instead." ~ Matthew 6:19-20

Eighteen years ago, Pat Tillman was living a life that most young men only dream of.  He’d married his high-school sweetheart and accepted a multi-million dollar contract to play professional football for the Arizona Cardinals where he went on to become one of the team's fan favorites.

But in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on 9/11, Tillman's priorities changed.  He decided to forego his NFL career and fight for his country instead, made him a hero to some of the people he used to admire - U.S. Army Rangers.

Tillman and his brother Kevin, who had been a Major League Baseball prospect, joined the service together.  Both men were deployed to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

At age 27, Tillman was killed in a firefight near the Pakistan border as he was leading his team to help comrades caught in an ambush.  The Army initially claimed he was killed by an enemy attack, but it was later revealed to be friendly fire.

The reaction to Tillman's death shook the nation.  Tributes and donations poured in.  The Cardinals retired #40 and ASU, his alma mater, retired #42 in his honor.  But the most lasting testament to his legacy is the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides academic scholarships to veterans and their spouses to this day.

Pat Tillman believed that serving his country in a time of crisis was of greater importance than sports, even if it meant losing his life for it.  His selflessness and bravery remind us of what it looks like when someone makes a tough decision after seeing the bigger picture - a “Cathedral Thinker.”

Cathedrals are incredible testaments to human endeavor.  The idea of Cathedral Thinking dates back through to medieval times, when the architects, stonemasons and artisans laid plans and began construction of the soaring, cavernous structures knowing for certain that they’d never see them finished.  They knew only that they were creating something glorious which would stand for centuries, long after their own names had been forgotten.

As Christians, we have the same challenge. We make daily decisions that affect our own lives and the lives of those around us.  It’s not always easy to know what decision to make; choosing the right job, marrying the right person, or serving in the right ministry all have lasting consequences.

That’s where having the right perspective can make all the difference.  When we focus on the here and now or focus on “What’s in it for me?” we do so at the expense of eternity.  An eternal perspective is like looking at the bigger picture; you sacrifice something today for the greater reward you will reap tomorrow.

Almighty Father, in today's hustle and bustle, it’s too easy to move through the day disconnected from our capacity as humans to be kind and caring.  Teach me to become fluent in kindness; compassionate to others, to the earth and to me.  Amen

Collision Course

“At the proper time, we’ll reap a harvest if we don’t give up." ~ Galatians 6:9

They were on a collision course of sorts.

DeAndre started a car-cleaning business when he was just 18 years old.  He rented a garage, hired helpers, and created advertising brochures.  The business prospered.  He intended to sell it and use the proceeds to pay for college, so he was thrilled when a buyer expressed interest.

After some negotiations, it seemed that the transaction would happen.  But at the last minute, the deal collapsed.  DeAndre felt like an undertaker watching a man being swallowed by a shark.

“God must have a better plan,” he thought without much conviction.  It wouldn’t be until almost 17 months later that a new potential buyer came forward with a unique idea.

Luke, it turned out, had done time in prison.  Illegal drug use had left him a shell of a man.  His marriage had failed.  And after multiple charges, he was sentenced to 9 years behind bars.

He knew that he needed to change but also knew that he was powerless to change on his own.  He enrolled in Prison Fellowship’s spiritual development classes.  It was there Luke came to realize he’d been given unique talents and abilities.

With God’s provision, Luke improved both his life skills and his character.  But that was only the beginning.  He learned how to create the business plan, and once paroled, shared it with DeAndre.

With a small business loan and the backing of his Prison Fellowship sponsor, his plan relied on ex-cons.

Sure, he’d heard all the reason not to hire former prisoners.  But his heart (and some research) suggested that employees with criminal backgrounds were much less likely to quit their jobs and no more likely to misbehave or get fired than non-ex-offenders.  And he knew from personal experience that a failure to obtain legitimate employment is one of the strongest correlates to criminal recidivism.

This collision course had a very happy ending.  DeAndre went on to earn his diploma.  Luke earned the respect of men who he’d give a second chance.

It’s normal to be disappointed when God’s timing and design for our lives don’t match our own expectations.  But what’s more important - achieving our hopes and dreams, or our love for God?

DeAndre understood the true nature of life, that you can't judge any event as the "end.  Our life doesn't play out like fictional works.  There aren't definite breaks that separate one moment from another; there's always tomorrow.

There are a million effects which can arise from one event.  Good and bad are interconnected.  They’re two sides of the same coin.  If things seem perfect, they aren't.  If it seems like a disaster in your corner of the world, it's not.  Things can change in an instant, at all times.

And they will … at some point or another.

Lord, give me the patience to wait on Your plans.  Silence my racing thoughts and self-imposed time limits.  Thank you for showing me that putting You first is what’s best for me.  Amen

Life's Collection of Moments

“Be beautiful in your heart, with the lasting charm of a gentle spirit." ~ I Peter 3:4

Laney sank into the recliner, feeling its soft leather mold around her as she prepared for the long day ahead.  She let her head roll back and eyes pull to a close.  Her feet dangled over the edge just like they had when she was small.

Just the slightest nudge from her imagination and she soared amongst the clouds, off down a path of distant memories.  Her first semester in Kearney had her feeling depressed, alone, and isolated.

She missed her Appalachian Mountains back home.  Laney loved walking in their forests of Maple, Oak, and Hickory trees.  She loved how the leaves turned a thousand shades of green in the Spring and then became a sea of red, gold, and orange in the Fall.  The sweet smell of clover and wild flowers shot through her like adrenaline right to her soul.

Nebraska was flat.  The grass looked burnt.  All she could smell was a mixture of corn, mud, and cattle.  How she had longed of being home again … until she saw her first Prairie Sunset.

She watched the sunset at the horizon, spreading its largess into a grateful sky.  Rich hues of gold, red, orange and purple flowed together in a picture painted by Heaven's own hand.  It took her breath away; filled with a distinct oneness with God.  All the loneliness, insecurity, hurt – gone!

She’d been foolish and judgmental.  The vast prairie had its own special beauty.  It too was a part of God's Creation.  Laney took a moment to imagine what God was whispering about her current situation as her faith stirred again.

She readjusted her position now in the infusion chair.  Today marked her 4^th chemo treatment.  Her hair had fallen out weeks ago.  People tried reassuring her that she’s still beautiful.  But as a product of western culture and custom, Laney wished she could believe them.  Every time she looked in a mirror, her appearance reminded her of all that’d happened since her diagnosis.

Most disturbing was that hair loss unmasked her as a cancer patient.  With pitying eyes, total strangers would ask what kind of cancer she had, how treatment was going, and how much time she had left.

Suddenly, God’s message crystalized.  Physical attractiveness has no relation to goodness, character, or godliness.

Like nature’s infinite wonders, each of us has special beauty as well.  We each have unique talents, abilities, and dreams.  Each of us has a powerful love, a vibrancy, that only we can share.  And God wants us to share it.

May you always do so then.  May your life always shine bright.  And may love radiate from your soul like a sunset on the Prairie.

Dear Lord, thank you for creating me in Your image.  Please help me to embrace even my flaws, and imperfections too.  Forgive me for the times I spent too much time complaining about my physical appearance and changing what you created.  Amen