What a Weekend…
On a recent weekend I joined with about a dozen older adults who served 21 younger adults up at Suttle Lake Camp. The reason to give up a perfectly good Thursday evening to Sunday noon was to introduce these high school seniors to the next chapter of their lives. The weekend is the brainchild of a faithful couple who, 22 years ago, saw there were holes in their own kids' and their friends' readiness for life as adults, so Life 101 was born. Since then, hundreds of young adults have been treated as adults, some for the first time, and then given a suitcase of tools needed to better navigate life.
Time is spent on the why and what believers believe along with a faith-based meta-narrative, but also "survival skills" are woven throughout the weekend. Skills like how to change a tire, tie a tie, balance finances, sew on a button, choose a church, pray, iron clothes, build a fire, set a table, prepare a dinner for 20, make a bed, shake a hand, study the bible, do laundry, the importance of voting, personal safety, how to eat and behave at a formal dinner, and several more. Much time is spent talking about the corrosive internal lies we hear and believe and how that affects us, the challenges to our character that will inevitably come, and teaching and discussion on power, money, and sex. Heavier sessions of mind and heart, and room to breathe with skill sessions and much laughter.
The days started early and the nights went late and there was very little free time. Being my first time there, I was unaware just how crucial a nap would be. After two late nights before, I pulled the ripcord Sunday morning around 1:45am, but the meeting lasted until well after 2:30 with questions and rich discussion. These young adults, just weeks from finishing high school, left with an armload of really good books, Life 101 swag, but more importantly, a true compass heading that can guide them, whether in college or in the workplace. The survival skills will separate them from many of their peers and serve them well regardless of where they land.
All of this reminded me of a quote I ran across awhile back. It’s from Dorothy Day, a controversial figure for most of the 20th century. She was a Catholic activist and anarchist, arrested numerous times and consistently lobbied for social justice reforms. I have plenty to disagree with in some of her positions, but I admire her passion and faith and devotion to God and to justice. Take a listen to her from 1957 in the Catholic Worker magazine.
“Young people say, “What can one person do? What is the sense of our small effort?” They cannot see that we can only lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time; we can be responsible only for the one action of the present moment. But we can beg for an increase of love in our hearts that will vitalize and transform these actions, and know that God will take them and multiply them, as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.”
Driving home through a spring snow storm, I spent the 50 minutes replaying the weekend and asking the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to see what I can learn and take away from Life 101. Folding the weekend into this quote from Day makes me think that we can all benefit from a bit of Life 101 regardless of our age or situation in life. Here are some of my take-aways:
Our mores (pronounced "morays", or actions) need to be disciplined to reflect our morals (beliefs). For instance, I can believe my body is a temple, but that means little unless I eat in healthy ways and exercise enough to keep it sound. Looking over the landscape of my beliefs and seeing how my actions match up is telling.
John 10 says that we have a real enemy who comes to rob and steal and destroy our lives. We need to be aware of that, and yet never forget that Jesus came to give us a life better than we could ever imagine. Don't retreat in fear, but stride forward in faith.
We too easily carry lies like labels that are internally corrosive (like fear of failure, or performing for acceptance, or not measuring up, or being told you are stupid or fat or or or...). It is essential to remember our new name, in Jesus, every day in every situation.
Thinking of the Day quote, God has always used the small (like a mustard seed), or the outsider (like most of the disciples), failures (like Mark, the 3-time loser) to do big stuff. Never doubt the worth of any small act you make in the name of God. He has, and will again, use them to bring great change.
It is critical that we pass along to the next and next generations a meta-narrative of a God-is-with-us-right-now story. Without intentional instruction, where are they to learn the stories and values and reasons for following Jesus?
So, there you go. A weekend to remember, and one we hope none of the young adults present will ever forget. I know I won't.
As for you, here are some ideas to ponder:
What internal corrosive do you hang onto? Drag it into the light, name it, tell a trusted friend, and ask God to build in you a new label, like...Child of God. Accepted. Enough.
Think of the one step you can take, or the one brick you can place that God might use in his grand narrative.
Which younger person orbits you looking for clues on how to do life? Invest time with him/her. Tell of your story, our story, their story. Give them a reason to follow along.
I say that is worth the loss of a bit of sleep! Let's Go!!
How about some music...
And a bad joke for the road:
The following new dog breeds are now recognized by the AKC:
Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso: A dog that folds up for easy transport
Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow: A dog that throws up a lot
Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter: A traditional Christmas pet
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs: A puzzling breed
Pekingese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso: An abstract dog
Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer: A dog fresh
and clean as a whistle
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever: The choice
of research scientists
Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound: A dog for financial
advisors
Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull: A dog that makes awful mistakes
Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador: A dog that barks incessantly
Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point: Owned by...oh, well, it doesn't matter
anyway
Collie + Malamute = Commute: A dog that travels to work
Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere: A dog that's true to the end
