Parents, Camp, and Perspective

I stole this post from Derry. But it's only because I think that every parent should see it...

Just listened to a voice mail of a dad who gets it. It was a thanks to all those leaders involved at Summer Camp who pushed his daughter to go all out for Christ. He was overjoyed with the zeal and passion he saw in his daughter. The thank you meant a lot, but what really got me excited hearing from a dad had just thrown gasoline on the fire that was started in his daughter.

Many times (more than I want to count) a student will come home to share with a parent what has happened, and immediately be met by "the voice of reason." Although I believe there are good intentions in this, I cringe when I hear students are initially met with statements like,
"You're on a spiritual high."
"Let's not get too carried away."
"I better see some changes in you at home."
"Let's take it slow and see what happens."

These statements an be potentially dangerous... especially when they are the first words out. Those can all be correct and valuable phrases to be shared. A parent will have to play the voice of reason in his/her kids' lives, but they also have the opportunity to fuel a faith in children that can produce a ridiculous dreamer and radical follower of Jesus Christ.

I would hope the first phrases from parents who see kids return from camp with a fire in them be,
"Awesome."
"Go for it!"
"I love what I'm hearing."
"How can we best help and encourage you as you put this into action?"
"I/We believe in you and your potential."
"Anything I can do to see you grasp all God has for you, I'm in!"
Or maybe it's no words, just a huge smile, a laugh, and a gigantic hug!


Parents, there are far too many fires that have to be put out when raising teens. Don't let the fire of God that get's built up from a perspective gaining experience like camp be one of them. Fan that fire into a flame that will equal out to spiritual growth at home!

So what does this mean for students? It means that this is one of those battles that you may have to face and as much as this sounds negative, your parents can unknowingly can act as agents of Satan. That's right, you can do it to other people too unknowingly. If you want it, and God wants you to do it, then you have no choice as a Christ-follower but to do whatever IT is.

Lord, may parents that give this guidance not be able to sleep well or rest until they realize the need to support their students. And God, don't allow students who need to be resolved to accomplish certain acts commissioned by you, to rest either. Make their nights a time of tossing and turning and moments of frustration because you have spoken and we have heard; you have shown us your glory and your vision for our group and we have seen you and we are changed. May you use us even when the odds and troubles that face us are our parents. May we know what it means to honor them while we follow our God who loves us!
Amen.