2007-07-06 - Lessons from Summer Camp

I was terrified of KP duty at summer camp. I had no experience as a waitress, and I imagined the worst. I made myself so nervous, thinking about the chore, that I literally made myself sick. I got out of KP duty, but ended up staying in the infirmary all day and night, missing the camp dance. My fear of grease and aprons was just as strong as the worry of some boy asking me to dance, so I wasn't too disappointed-just bored as a result of resting all day.

When I woke up from one of my afternoon naps I heard some counselors talking in an adjacent room, their break room. The college-aged men and women were telling each other about past romantic encounters. I was shocked; people were so open about a private issue. Had they known I was in earshot, I am sure the topic would have been about the weather or tonight's menu. I was also a little let down. I looked up to these people. This was a church-sponsored camp, you know! What would my mother say?

The counselors didn't go into any specific details or techniques. The discussion was as carefree as friends talking about their favorite movie or sports team. It was all so unemotional. All I had heard about dating at that point in my pre-teen existence, was about emotion: love, beauty, and pleasure. None of the counselors exhibited any of those emotions when discussing their romantic experiences. Could it be they regretted their decisions? Had the words in 1 Thessalonians 4:2-8 hit a chord? "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." (Verse 7 NIV)

I escaped KP duty that summer day, but I never forgot the life education I overheard. I didn't want to be one of those counselors who resented giving up a part of themselves so soon. I didn't want to live a life of regret. True, I missed out on taking orders and moping floors; I gained a life education.

Lisa

lisa@cfdevotionals.org

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