Upper Plenty
It was a camp that I was not sure I wanted to attend, right up till the very last moment. By 'very last' I mean 2 hours before they set off to the campsite. He has been incredibly patient with me because how I came to Him was through a fairly similar process. My wilfullness perhaps?
The campsite was at Upper Plenty, in a house built by the hands of the owner himself, from mud-bricks and hewn logs. It is amazing looking at what the human body is capable to creating. And even more amazing thinking about what He has created and is capable of creating.
We went fishing at a lake just a short walk away from the house. It looked rather dismal given the weather, which clouds seemed liked they almost wanted to give birth to torrents of rainfall. This was the first time most of us encountered fishing and given the context of attending a Christian camp, came the sometimes apt sometimes lame fish analogies.
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19
The best thing about the stay in Upper Plenty were the friendships. It feels great (and that is a gross understatement) to have friends say encouraging words to you. All it takes is One word of affirmation to bring joy to someone. I realised, from personal experience, that it does not hurt and is definitely not difficult to say something good to a person you care for and love.
Then why do we not as graciously, and generously extend words of encouragement? Is it more difficult to say 'You look great today!' and 'Thank you, I could never have made it through without your company.' than 'Your eyebags are looking worse each day.'
Do we doubt the sincerity of our words and intentions? If we do, are we the ones who try to stopper a friendship from blossoming into something even more beautiful and lasting? Maybe, for me, it is a deep sense of insecurity. I have had friends in the past say hurtful things to me. Perhaps they didn't know what bad things their words did to my confidence and perception of self-worth. Realising what standards people have set for themselves and others, I was afraid that I could never match up ever - so I also likewise created standards by which I could judge others, and myself with.
I am not advocating lying. If there is one saving attribute of a friend, show your friend grace by saying good things about it even if the rest of your friend does not seem quite as wonderful in your sight. One good can conquer all bad. Although one bad word said can make anyone forget ten thousand other better ones said.
I am grateful to Him for giving me friends, whose friendships I often think I really don't deserve, who comfort, encourage and correct me. Honesty surely doesn't preclude the development of a sensitive spirit.
The campsite was at Upper Plenty, in a house built by the hands of the owner himself, from mud-bricks and hewn logs. It is amazing looking at what the human body is capable to creating. And even more amazing thinking about what He has created and is capable of creating.
We went fishing at a lake just a short walk away from the house. It looked rather dismal given the weather, which clouds seemed liked they almost wanted to give birth to torrents of rainfall. This was the first time most of us encountered fishing and given the context of attending a Christian camp, came the sometimes apt sometimes lame fish analogies.
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19
The best thing about the stay in Upper Plenty were the friendships. It feels great (and that is a gross understatement) to have friends say encouraging words to you. All it takes is One word of affirmation to bring joy to someone. I realised, from personal experience, that it does not hurt and is definitely not difficult to say something good to a person you care for and love.
Then why do we not as graciously, and generously extend words of encouragement? Is it more difficult to say 'You look great today!' and 'Thank you, I could never have made it through without your company.' than 'Your eyebags are looking worse each day.'
Do we doubt the sincerity of our words and intentions? If we do, are we the ones who try to stopper a friendship from blossoming into something even more beautiful and lasting? Maybe, for me, it is a deep sense of insecurity. I have had friends in the past say hurtful things to me. Perhaps they didn't know what bad things their words did to my confidence and perception of self-worth. Realising what standards people have set for themselves and others, I was afraid that I could never match up ever - so I also likewise created standards by which I could judge others, and myself with.
I am not advocating lying. If there is one saving attribute of a friend, show your friend grace by saying good things about it even if the rest of your friend does not seem quite as wonderful in your sight. One good can conquer all bad. Although one bad word said can make anyone forget ten thousand other better ones said.
I am grateful to Him for giving me friends, whose friendships I often think I really don't deserve, who comfort, encourage and correct me. Honesty surely doesn't preclude the development of a sensitive spirit.
love u dear =)