Reflecting requires shining

The summer has been incredible. Fot the first summer in 14 years I did it without an intern. I missed the camaraderie, the humor, the late-night company, the opportunities to mentor, the HELP when everyone else had gone home. It was a hard summer, but it substantiated that I can still do "it", while some seem to wonder if that is true. I don't mean that to sound arrogant, but to those who wondered if I still had "a fire in my belly" for youth ministry, nanny, nanny, boo-boo.

Summer was easier in some ways. It doesn't take as long to plan a trip well. Parents have a higher degree of trust (most of the time). Kids don't try to be as sneaky. I don't sweat the small stuff as much.

I miss Camp Promise. The outreach to the needy, the unchurched, and the really good kids was a shot in the arm. Its a pain in the backside sometimes as well, but well worth it. I hope God raises up someone who will catch a vision for this camp. I hope it comes back and this time from within University.

We had a great talk among our staff this past week

Reflection requires something to shine. I need to seek shiny things. I need to shine for others.