the Campfire

Be a Light, change your ways and help others do the same.

One  Summer, two young men, Bob and Doug volunteered at a high school Summer camp. Many of the boys and girls at camp were city kids that had never spent much time out of the city. “The campers slept inside cabins the whole week until the last night.  Everyone imagined the fun they would have that night singing around a bright crackling campfire.  Rumors flew about roasting marshmallows, eating thick tasty stew, and sleeping in a makeshift lean-to. Late in the afternoon on the final day, five different  groups loaded their belongings on their backs and hiked to their camping spots.” That evening Doug and Bob toured each camp. There was a buzz of activity at the first four camps which radiated with the light and cheer of a blazing fire.  But at camp five, there were there were only faint whispers and sniffs from the group huddled in the darkness. For these campers who were unable to start a fire, the happy camping night turned into terror. Doug got a fire going and within minutes they began working together to get their site ready for eating and sleeping. Doug’s “light” had helped change the outlook for their night.

“For many people, the world is a dark, fearful place.  They feel that evil is in control, or that life happens by chance. Many wander without purpose, afraid that the worst is just about to happen.  Some people live in gloom because they are selfish. They pout because they can’t have ice cream after dinner or because they can’t sit in the front seat of the car.  Discontented people live in self-made darkness.”

“God provides enough light in our world to keep every creature confident, hopeful and bright. He takes pleasure in starting cheerful  fires, even for those who reject that light.” He sent his Son, the Light of the world, to bring hope to men who have lost their courage, and truth to those overcome with lies.

(“Boyhood and Beyond:  Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man”. Bob Schultz. Great Expectations Book Co. 2004. Pp. 45-47.)

Borrow this book from the library in our Religious Education office and continue reading for specific examples of how to be “God’s light” to others.  Happy Camping!

Mary Luebke  

Acting CRE 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Holmen WI

 Pre-K – Grade 5

http://www.amazon.com/Boyhood-Beyond-Practical-Wisdom-Becoming/dp/1883934095