Many of you may be wondering about all of the social media posts featuring pictures of mountains and trees, chapels and crosses. One of my dearest and most “tenured” friends invited me to help her direct the junior high session at Camp Mitchell this year, the very same session where we met 35 years ago. It sits atop Petit Jean Mountain in central Arkansas and is imbued with a spirit that moves beyond the lovely views and serenity of a state park. I’d call it the essence of real community, true inclusivity, genuine kindness and compassion. No matter your spiritual practice, you can’t help but be swept up in the singing, the laughter, the playfulness, the prayerfulness, and the readiness to make every joyful (loud) noise! And you can’t help but be transformed...
We used superheroes to illustrate the passage from Micah 6:8, “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” And so we discussed justice, mercy, and humility, along with fear, power, and the responsible use of privilege. How beautiful to see the reception, the recognition on the kids’ faces when they embraced and employed those concepts! Admittedly, it was a lot of work... But honestly, I had as much fun as I did when I was a camper, perhaps a little more. And I got to spend a week on the mountain with incredible people, old friends and new. Although tired, I feel refreshed, renewed, and somehow lighter. I had a chance to feel into familiar traditions that comforted me, and new ideas that will propel me forward. Open eyes, open mind, open heart. Without thought or intention, I stripped down to my marrow, laid down years of painful events, adult navigation, and all of my coping/defense mechanisms. I uncovered and recovered parts of my self I had lost or forgotten. It feels good...
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AuthorJulie Watson Melancon Archives
November 2019
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