Religious Experiences in Unlikely Places
Ok, I know everyone is totally different, but for me, religion is found wherever I feel hopeful. That’s what religion is all about anyway, right? Hope for humanity, hope for a better life if we’re “good”, hope for peace, hope for heaven…
This week, I’m finding hope in bugs and burnt fish sticks and art projects that make your hands turn bright blue.
Every year, I’m a camp counselor at a summer day camp for a week for Girl Scouts in central PA. I first went to this camp when I was 5 and only missed one year as a camper. I then because a girl helper/assistant, and then, finally, a leader. That means that I’ve been a part of this camp for 16? 17? years…I’ve lost count.
In any case, I’m the unit leader for 8 girls, and today they were WOUND UP. And by that, I mean they we running around and squealing and laughing to the point where I thought one of the other troops was going to yell at us. We tie-dyed until everyone’s hands were blue, went on scavenger hunts, and learned first aid. You know what? Them bouncing off the walls didn’t bother me. As I sat on the ground eating my goopey Mac and Cheese (made over a campfire, mind you!), I thought “This is life.”
These girls having fun give me hope for the future. They’re good people now, and I hope they continue to be good people as adults. For four days, I’ll do my best to help ensure that.
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