My Cup is Overflowing

Several days ago, I found myself walking the familiar trails and roads of camp with Ben, my dog and walking companion, noticing that something felt very different.  The feeling was odd, mostly because camp and its nooks and crannies, as well as all the spaces in between, had become just as familiar and comfortable as returning home to the house in which I grew up.  I couldn’t put my finger on what it was right away and I was puzzled by it for the duration of the walk. 

Nothing seemed out of place and the creation that surrounded me was calm and serene.  Definitely nothing out of the ordinary for an early morning walk before work.  Although feeling like something was different, I was calm and at peace. 

With our stroll coming to a close, I realized that this wasn’t a new feeling.  It was one that I had experienced in the past and a feeling I know that I will experience again in the future.  Time seemed to have come to a stand-still and in that single moment, every bit of my life made sense.  I felt whole.

The days, weeks, and months leading up to this moment had been so erratic, I had forgotten what it felt like to live in a single moment and to be conscious of every part of it.  And since that moment in which I had realized I was living as a glass half empty kind of person instead of half full, my cup began filling itself and now seems to be overflowing.

****

Training for our summer leadership staff began this past Sunday and it is one of my favorite times leading into our summer season.  Staff always arrives excited and full of anticipation for what is to come.  Little do they know upon their arrival that I am feeling much of those same emotions, but over the course of a few days, I think it becomes very apparent that we are all on the same page.  This is exciting for me and very fulfilling.  The moment that we are all in the same place, is the moment that greater trust is formed, relationships mature, and pride for one another grows. 

And, since Sunday, other staff members specializing in certain areas have begun to trickle in, adding to the excitement and enthusiasm that seems to engulf camp.  There have been some intense training already and I find myself observing and watching in admiration the staff that keep their jovial emotions at the forefront rather than letting themselves get overwhelmed by the material being presented to them.  They care to learn and care to share that knowledge with people they will encounter during the summer season and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the community that is forming.

There’s still two more weeks of training to come, as well as the arrival of almost 40 staff members.  The excitement is building and my cup is continuing to overflow as I am surrounded by people that care so passionately about the same camp and ministry that I have loved for so long. 

As the summer approaches, my prayers are with staff that will soon be with us, the staff that are already with us, and the staffs of so many other camps that I have grown friendships with in the past few years--that they may be blessed with successful summers and the overwhelming feeling of passion for the service that they will be doing for so many this season.

May cups overflow this summer!