Monthly Archives: June 2009

Job for Today

I’m sitting here surrounded by books and binders.  I have one job for myself today.  Prepare for cabin devotions. 

So far my topics are:
-purity and modesty (Junior Camp)
-purity and modesty (Teen Camp)
-Jesus: What was/is He like? (Teen Camp: With Stephanie)
-family relationships (Teen Camp: With Stephanie)

You can pray for me, not just for preparing, but that no matter what the topic it would be grounded in God’s Word and that the discussion would point us to Jesus Christ.  Pray that these times would be meaningful and God glorifying. 

Now to get to work…

Critical

I am a very critical woman.  It’s not really a surprise to me but I’ve been taking stock of my critical tendencies since, after a certain event, a good friend looked at me and said, "You have an opinion about everybody, don’t you?" 

I do. 

I feel like I am outside of the situation and able to unbiasedly evaluate everyone else on their behaviour, attitudes and words.  I feel like I can judge whether someone is ‘in’ or not spiritually.  And of course I’m always right.

This morning I read about a different way of living.  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  Jn 13:34,35  I didn’t stop and think about this verse because it grabbed me; I stopped because it didn’t.  As I grabbed a pencil to underline this important statement I realized that I havn’t spent very much time thinking about how *I* can love others.  How do I love my roommates?  How do I love my boss?  How am I going to love my fellow staffers during the two weeks of camp?

Now there is something I havn’t dwelt on before.  I’ve thought about loving the campers.  I’ve thought about loving God.  I’ve thought about how to make sure the gospel is clear and how to discipline.  But not how to make the other staff people’s lives easier.  I keep thinking of how to make my life easier.  How I can make sure I have enough energy.

So I’m praying for grace to love.  Not just at camp, although that’s a good place to work on this, but in general.  To become a woman known for love rather than criticism. 

Observations

When I go for walks I pass by two interesting houses.  The first is immaculate.  They have been renovating the exterior of the house all year.  The landscaping is gorgeous: interesting rock flower gardens, well groomed lawn and a gleaming white deck/sitting area.  Every time I walk by I admire the house and yard.  Over the year and a half I’ve lived on Young Lane I have had some interaction with the lady of the house.  My roommate and I refer to her as the neighbour lady who never smiles.  Often she is outside working when I drive or walk past but never has she uttered a greeting or offered a smile, even if we make eye contact and I smile. 

Right next door is a fairly nice house with a usually well kept lawn but the siding is different colours in some places, the lawn has not been trimmed in a few days and the garage is not overly attractive.  I’ve also had some interaction with the lady of this house.  She is perpetually smiling, quick to chuckle and always ready for a conversation.

As I walked by these houses today I reflected on how wasted it seems for the first lady to have such a beautiful yard and home without having a welcoming spirit.  (In her defense, my impression comes only from minimal contact.  I know nothing of what she has experienced in life which may have caused her to be unengaged and unhappy.)  How many people can enjoy the beauty she is creating?  How many people can relax in her home?

In contrast, how freeing to see and talk to the second lady, regardless of what state her yard or house may be in.  Yes, she cares about her yard and house and works on them but it’s not consuming her.  She has time to enjoy people.

I would much rather be like the second lady.  It’s a challenge to me.  I may not be consumed by my yard but how consumed am I by my appearance?  My ministry programs?  Keeping it all together?  God give me grace to enjoy.