Autumn Leaves Are Falling

I skipped out of the office to take a walk earlier this week and took some “quiet” pictures. By quiet I mean that usually the picture would be full of activity, campers, staff or even horses. It was good to be reflective. It was good to walk slowly through the fallen leaves listening to the crunch crunch under my feet. It felt good to breathe the fall air. Although we are still busy here at camp with guest groups, that afternoon I met only one other person on my travels.

Having been here now for just over two years (time flies when you're having fun!) I still keep forgetting how busy we are from the beginning of May until the end of October. As a staff we give of ourselves daily. We serve our campers and guests often putting in long hours. When we hit this time of year we can't help but think about the slower pace of winter. We're not necessarily looking forward to the long, cold aspect of winter (that goes on and on and on) but we are looking forward to being able to re-charge our batteries. We're looking forward to having the time to plan for next years guest groups. We're excited about picking next summers theme, tweaking the schedule and brainstorming on how can we make next summer better than ever! We're looking forward to encouraging each other, taking some time to re-charge our spiritual batteries.

We all need to re-charge through the year. Some of us are able to go on holidays where we can sit on a beach and read a good book. (Clive Cussler anyone?) Some of us are able to go to retreats or conferences and be re-charged with new ideas or great worship. Going to Disneyland is sort of restful - if you forget all the walking and screaming you do! But sometimes all it takes to re-charge is a slow walk in the fall leaves.

I encourage you to do that today. Or at the very latest tomorrow – because if you wait longer than tomorrow it won't happen. Take some time to re-charge. As you walk, spend some time reflecting with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you, to prompt you. Think about ways that you can be an encouragement to someone else and then send them a note or a text! And then...dig out your winter clothes and boots because winter is coming!

Some encouraging verses from Isaiah 40 

"Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Enjoy the “rest” of fall.

Ranger (Bob)