I finally agreed to try again. It was kind of a leap of faith.
Trusting in others and in God is pretty hard. We don’ t really know and can’ t really know everything about God, or why he works the way he does, but we just have to trust. I had to trust in my counselors to know I’ d get down off the rock safely. When we’ re scared, we just trust. Even simple things like thunderstorms— when I was a younger camper, and there was a crazy storm in the middle of the night, I would just have to wait it out. Sometimes that’ s all we can do.
A more recent time of stress was the college application process. It was a whirlwind of essay-writing, transcriptsending and decision-making. I had no idea where I wanted to go. And waiting to hear back was like watching grass grow.
Another tradition at camp is having a“ feeling check” every night before bed. We go around the cabin and answer a few questions, one of which is usually:“ Where did you see God today?” This question is pretty easy to answer at Shrine Mont. Like I said, it’ s truly a place apart. However, back in the“ real world,” it’ s sometimes harder to see God at work. Romans says“ God’ s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” I believe that we need to take this love and spread it as far as it will go, no matter where we are or whom we’ re with. Camp is so great because of the unconditional love there. I want to take that and share it with the community.
I’ d like to repeat this verse from today’ s Gospel:“ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth …” I like this verse because we don’ t always understand God. We can only work with and trust in the knowledge that we have. I know that whenever I see God at work, it’ s through many ways. I see God through volunteer work. A while back, the youth group here did a project called“ 100 Meals for $ 100.” We worked on cooking meals that were only $ 1 each. Working with such a strict price limit was difficult, but it was worth it to help serve the community. I see God through simple things too, like making new friends, helping strangers, or even just having a conversation with someone you don’ t usually talk to. And that can be hard! But sometimes, you have to take that little leap of faith.
I’ d like to thank everyone here for helping me grow over the past 18 years. I’ m so thankful for Mary Beth Abplanalp and Anna Broadbent for being wonderful youth leaders and mentors, Mr. Jason for being an amazing choir director who has put up with my constant requests to play flute in church, Reverend Heather for guiding me through the sermon-writing process, and my family for always being there for me. I know I can always find peace in this church and the presence of God, which have been and will always be supportive of me and my journey. t
VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN / SUMMER 2016 29