Optimist Roundtable
By Martha Sykes
As I returned home from church camp a couple weeks ago, it was a bittersweet trip. I was returning home early due to the passing of a wonderful friend in my life. It was good to be around so many people that share the love of Jesus all week with those around us. It is times like that when we realize what we treasure.
Our theme during the week of camp where we teach special needs adults, was all about how our lives are such a treasure to God. We all certainly realized what a treasure all of these campers and fellow counselors must be in the eyes of Jesus. Every single camper has a personality that we, as counselors, treasure.
They have an enthusiasm for learning about Jesus that is contagious. This particular week, every summer, is a time away from our worldly things, with no TV, no electronics, no newspapers; so, therefore, we just enjoy the surroundings that God has created for all of us in those mountains.
Every morning there are loud voices, as the campers greet each other traveling to the bathhouse to prepare for another day of singing praises to God, worshiping together, praying for friends and each other.
Our days at camp are pretty busy and when we get together to worship, it is always a great experience. As this week was a tough one to try to leave my concerns to myself, the campers were always happy to be with their friends and all of the counselors, as well as camp staff, so it was a heartwarming time to be surrounded by all of God’s treasures.
What is it that you see as a treasure in life? Do you realize that you are a treasure to God and to those around you? We talked at camp about how we are clay in a potter’s hands as God makes us who He wants us to be.
This particular week, I realized how much I treasured the relationship of these campers and the counselors I work with, as well as my relationship with my true friend, Joanie. She was someone that I shared my faith with many times and we had many conversations about what we believed. It is times like this that we realize how precious life is and how God wants us to share His love with the people we know and care about. As for me, I thank God for how He puts people in our lives that we will treasure forever. Joanie was one of those people.
