Things I Learned as a Camp Counselor

Things I Learned as a Camp Counselor

As most of you know, I spent three unforgettable summers of my college life (2011-2013) as a camp counselor.  I loved it like crazy, and I still miss it.  I wouldn’t change it for anything.  Was it was super easy?  Oh no.  Spending 3 months straight with the same people (well, that was actually pretty awesome :), same schedule week after week (trust me, I know some OBSCURE quotes from the Movie Moments ;), 24/6 spent with kiddos, very little technology (also a blessing), constant sweating (I’ve turned into such a humidity snob), and mosquitoes (never again).

* BUT it was beyond rewarding and ultimately impacted the future course of my life.

Lately, especially as I get a taste of it again with church VBS and music camp coming up, I’ve realized how many life skills I now embrace daily that I learned specifically from being a counselor.  If you have the opportunity to work at a camp, do it!  It’s an irreplaceable experience.  Otherwise, live vicariously through us- my fellow couns’s out there will understand well... Enjoy!  :)

1.  How to have energy when you have none.

If you’re going to lead campers all day long in songs, games, discussions, meals, cheers … you need supernatural energy.  Even coming from me, a naturally energetic person.  Moments where you just long to lay on your bunk bed or watch a movie…  Or when your 4^th graders get homesick or break their glasses at 10 PM (true story)… But kids feed off your energy level, so they’ll have way more fun if you cheese it up to the extreme, over the top – and then you’ll consequently have way more fun too.

2.  A hot shower is a commodity to be cherished.

Ha, I was pretty spoiled by the nice amenities at Riverside, but a couple of the cabins may have had the “Hot” and “Cold” labels mixed up … and geniuses don’t always notice it the first night ;)  Sometimes I showered last and all the girls were asleep by the time I was done. *score*

3.   I can handle being around people ALL. The. Time.

You don’t have to be an extrovert to be a camp counselor, but then you best use your 1 hour of free time a day to rejuvenate…  You’re always with at least 10 people, unless you claim an empty cabin for yourself on the weekends.  But dude, living in a community is the bomb- you always have enough people to play a pick-up game of volleyball, or to make a scene at local restaurants on the weekends… and you make some of the best friends you’ll ever have.  People who care about you and pray for you – it’s so important!

4.   Patience.  And putting myself second.  No, really.

Such a good life skill!  Let the kids eat first.  Yes, you only get 4 chicken nuggets until the 2nds bell.  “Stephanie!  Will you braid my hair?  Will you play carpetball with me?”  Haha.  It ends up being a blast though- focusing on others’ needs lessens time to worry about your own stuff.  (“Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, regard others as better than yourselves.” –Phil. 2:13)  Also, I was a music major, yet I only got to practice a couple times a week max.  But if God calls you to something, He equips you for it.  He provides and works through you – all you have to do is trust Him and let Him!  “But he said to me, ‘My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

5.   Pop runs are a real thing.

Mmm the joy of, what was it, $0.79(?) ice cold pops after a busy week of camp.  Yes, “pop.”

6.   And the excitement of seeing the next week’s schedule

Who’s my co-counselor?!  Which cabin am I in?  Am I on maintenance this week?!  Haha.  It’s like Christmas every Friday after the closing program.  And checking your personal mailbox!

7.   Sleep?  When you can-

Quiet Saturday mornings were amazing.  But honestly, as a sophomore music major, I actually got far more sleep at camp than I ever did at UNI (lol).  Maybe I just had good campers… I heard stories of boy campers running around until 4 AM… lucky you!  ;)

8.   The counselors’ shared experiences go beyond inside jokes.  You develop your own language.

At least your own abbrevs.  Totes m’gotes.  Adorbs.  Presh.  “Parade, parade…”  “Staff meeting, staff meeting!”  “Let’s go, Hope.”  And nicknames, of course-- TTMB.  TRex.  Tburk.  AP.  I mean, Kaity Sharp even got her own theme song… “Kai-ty – Sharp, do do, do do do do.”  ;)  You also learn go-to time-filler games that can arise at any moment.  “Three sharp-tooth buzzards… sitting on a dead tree.”  *Funny voices appreciated and highly encouraged.*

9.   Mastered getting ready for the day in 10 minutes.  (unfortunately this one hasn’t stuck with me the greatest…)

Meanwhile, some 13-year-old girls plan their three outfits a day and delicately do their make-up… it’s 90 degrees in humid Iowa… plus, no purpling!

10.         Technology is not all it’s cracked up to be.

It’s hard to imagine now that I literally checked my phone and facebook once a day, or maybe twice, if the kiddos went to sleep too early for me ;) for a whole summer!  But dude, it was sooo nice!  We genuinely focused on the people we were with constantly.  Technology is NO replacement for genuine, in-person relationships.  Especially when your peers see you at your best and worst and still love you as you are.  (Romans 5:8… “For God showed His GREAT Love for us in this:  while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” :) !)

11.         There is so much more to a great summer job than the paycheck.

I still can’t believe I got paid to have such a fantastic summer.  Yeah, it wasn’t $10/hour, but it wasn’t retail either.  I remember at age 13 I asked my mom, “Can I be a counselor someday?  I hope it’s not too expensive!”

12.  Embrace your inner child.  Never lose your childlike wonder, faith, joy.

This is one of the most important ones.  It’s so easy to get caught up in “the real world” and being professional, but I hope I never let that make me pretentious or fake – or boring!  Camp counseling reminds you of the joy and imagination still inside you, if you let it arise – have fun!  (In the right contexts, I suppose): do something silly and crazy!  Don’t be afraid to be YOU.  Take chances, try new things.  If you fall on your face, at least you had fun doing it!  See the world with fresh eyes.  I love how kids think every little thing is the coolest thing ever.  Great perspective!  I swear I learned just as much from the kids as they learned from me.

13.         Going out of your comfort zone is a good thing.

Seriously, being a counselor and day camp leader, having to constantly meet and speak in front of new people, learn and lead new events, … gave me the confidence to be a teacher, and the courage to move halfway across the country for grad school.  (Back to the community thing)- when you have people that know you so well and believe in you, you can freely stand up and go for things— and being thrown into those situations in camp paved the way for me to take big steps in my future.  This week at the church Bible School, it would’ve been easier to simply tell my kids facts about Africa (the week’s theme,) but I tried to show them the love and truth of Jesus (we all sin, we need a Savior, He is ours!)  Plus, we have to learn to rely on the Holy Spirit.  He shows up when you believe and expect that He will!  Countless times, I came to the end of myself… having to answer a hard question or give a Share unexpectedly, and I prayed, “God, give me words – help me know what they need to hear and speak through me.”  Or back to the practicing thing – I did not want to lose all my clarinet abilities after hardly practicing all summer, but I truly felt like God wanted me there at camp, so I trusted Him to take control and provide.  And He does.  I’m not trying to make an excuse for laziness, but rather that God knows best, and following His lead will not fail you!  Even though it’s more often than not kinda scary or difficult!

14.         Camp will always be a second home.

I have sooo many incredible memories there, spiritual highs, and feelings of God’s Presence, from my time as a 12-year-old camper to my last summer as a 22-year-old (or even last summer when I visited for 2 hours one day)…  Dude, it’s beautiful.  I still dream of getting married in the Riverside Chapel.

That camp life, yo.  I dig it.  :)

Life Isn't Fair

Fairness.  Good ideal to live by, right?  Don’t hog everything for yourself, share with others.  Make honest answers.  Get what your actions deserve.

...

Don’t cheat in a game, but play fairly.  Make sure others have it as good as you do.  But would literal fairness also imply that you should have it just as good as others?

Fairness, serving everyone equally, living honestly and justly… definitely embodies good points, but what about this?----  “Fairness:  give birthday gifts to your friends, but only when they’ll give you an equal-quality gift in return.”  Even.  Fair.  “Only invite people to your wedding that will invite you in return.”  “A parent should give more attention to the child that behaves better.” (fairly earned?)

Does that rub you the wrong way?  Me too.

What about the uncontrollable things?

-You live a perfect life, never get sick … but then you do.

-Mean, manipulative people should not get a promotion at work … but then they do.

-A beautiful daughter born to a loving family should live until old age… but doesn’t…

-A whole city prays for a person’s healing … and sometimes they still do not make it.

-I was born into a loving family that supported me and helped me achieve my dreams.  Another was born into a poor, disrespectful family and left poor and feeling unloved.

Life isn’t fair.  People get things their actions don’t deserve.  The world is broken.  Sometimes it’s the worst!  But throughout the years, people have made mistakes, people have sinned, and God has chosen not to condemn all evil yet, especially the evil within people.  (He will destroy all evil in the end times, but for now, He’s graciously giving His people time to turn back to Him).  So, in the meantime, the world holds sin’s consequences … sickness, natural disasters, premature death, bad decisions… so much that people shouldn’t have to experience…

BUT, on the other hand, life isn’t fair.  People get things their actions don’t deserve.  The smallest, less-coordinated kid hit a home run and won the baseball game.  A man gave a waitress a $100 tip for no reason other than to help her.  Soldiers die every day to protect the safety and freedom of entire countries.  A naughty child is unconditionally loved more than he could ever know by two loving parents.  A teenager with no hope of affording college is awarded a full-ride scholarship that felt undeserved.

And best of all,

One man sacrificed his perfect life so millions and billions of broken people could live in righteousness forever.

“The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair.”  – Relient K, “Be My Escape”

That line ^ always caught my attention.

The BEAUTY of grace is that it makes life NOT fair?  But I worked 12 hours, I should be paid more than the person that worked 6 hours.  I accomplished more on the group project than Johnny, so I should get a higher grade.  Before I had a job, my tithing amount was so much less.  “God, I was always faithful to You, but my brother turned away from You and wasted his father’s inheritance.  Why does he get the party and not me?” – [Prodigal Son’s older brother] (see Luke 15:11-32 – AMAZING story that never gets old and never fails to teach me something).

I am reminded of a simple parable Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 20:1-16:

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard ² He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

³ “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴ He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. ⁶ About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

⁷ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

⁸ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

⁹ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰ So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹² ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

¹³ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

¹⁶ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Jesus turned so many of the world’s values upside down.

Why would someone who only works one hour make the same amount of money as someone who works all day?  Because of GRACE.  Why would a murderer who turns to Christ on his/her deathbed receive the same eternal life as someone who served God as a missionary since age twelve?  Because God LOVES all people and sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of all people and rise again to give everyone life forever in heaven.  But how does it work for both of these situations?

“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” –Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21, Joel 2:32

No strings attached.  Accept that Jesus died to take your place, a sinner’s death, and instead you get life.  ETERNAL life.  Even Peter, arguably the closest disciple to Jesus, questions this fairness, after Jesus hints that Peter will die a painful martyr’s death:

“²¹ When Peter saw [John, his fellow disciple], he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man [John]?” ²² Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’” –John 21:21-22

We should spend our energy trying to live our own lives the way Christ desires of us, not demanding fairness from others.  Life isn’t fair, but often that’s to our benefit:

“I have sinned in my life so I deserve to … wait …”

Hold the phone.  Do we really want everything we deserve?  Do we really want life to be perfectly fair?  Then we deserve to die.  Yes, we did good things in our lives, but life is not a scale, weighing our good deeds versus our bad ones, and hoping the good outweighs the bad.  God’s standard is perfection.  (Matthew 5:48).  But THANK GOD, He KNEW we would not be able to attain that on our own, with free will, as He wants us to have, so He made a different way-- He sent His PERFECT Son Jesus to take AWAY from us the death our sins deserve and instead give all of us what Jesus’ perfect life deserved – perfect eternal life with God forever!  What an incomparable, undeniable GIFT!

OK, so we get the salvation thing, and cute (but truly amazing) examples of unfairness that we like, such as how some of our parents gave EVERYTHING for us.  (I am more grateful for them every day).

But, why am I obsessed with fairness in my day-to-day life when some of the most BEAUTIFUL and IMPACTFUL things in life are not fair?  Jesus said, Love your enemy.  Bless those who persecute you.  By doing so, you will heap burning coals on their heads.  (Matthew 5:43, Romans 12:20, paraphrased).  WHICH in that time and culture meant a ritual of REPENTANCE!  It will catch their attention and turn them back to the GOD who is crazy about them!!  Give a sandwich to a homeless person.  Use some of your fun money to give to a charity or mission in need.  Write an encouraging note to someone who is sad.  Send someone a gift for no reason.  Call a friend you haven’t talked to in ages.  Befriend the lonely person.  Why, because they earned it?  No, because you can!  Because Christ did.  Because it will brighten their life and catch their attention--- why would you do that for no personal gain??  It will help them see Jesus through you, for who He really is.

But I confess, I need to work on this.

I tend to be a perfectionist, so I like when everything works out neatly.

Examples … I drove this week, so you drive next week, and we’ll be even.

I cooked tonight, you cook tomorrow.

You brought ice cream?  I better bring fruit.  But fruit’s cheaper than ice cream, shoot. I better bring salad too.

You’ll cover my tip at the restaurant?  But that’s not necessary.

I made a mess the other day and had to clean it up, so your turn.

WHY DO I IMPOSE EXPECTATIONS ON OTHER PEOPLE?!  AND WHY DO I OVERCALCULATE THINGS SO MUCH?!  Jesus LOVES a cheerful giver, (2 Corinthians 9:7-8), a humble, servant heart, and I’ll admit, I’ve been sucking at that lately.  Why do I care?!?!  All I have (money, time, talent) is God’s anyway, so why wouldn’t I want to share freely?  I love making people happy – why not go for it?  What is an act of kindness if I’m doing it with the expectation that I’ll get it back in return?  Is that really an act of kindness?  Shouldn’t I just do it out of the goodness of my heart, solely for that other person, with no motivation of getting recognition or a gift in return??  (And when I desire selflessness in a marriage, is that really so I can serve and honor him fully … or just so he can serve me?  God, purify my heart and motives!)

God sees everything, and He loves when His children follow in His loving footsteps and help people.  Why do we feel we need payback?  Whatever happened to “pay it forward”?  Why not serve and influence MORE people with this RADICAL LOVE instead of demanding it in return?  Where’s the satisfaction from getting it back?

It’s true.  Some people may take advantage of your servant heart.  But more often, people will see your generous, grace-filled heart and catch on to it, wanting to serve you and others anyway.  It’s not for us to judge.

I keep hearing the song “Fix My Eyes” by For King and Country on the radio, and here’s what it says:

“Hit Rewind, Click Delete.

Stand face to face with the younger me.

All of the mistakes,

All of the heartbreak,

Here’s what I’d do differently:

I’d Love like I’m not scared,

Give when it’s not fair,

Live life for another,

Take time for a brother,

Fight for the weak ones,

Speak out for freedom,

Find faith in the battle,

Stand tall, and above it all:

Fix my eyes … on You.”

My goal this week (and forever) is to be more generous and selfless, serving others solely for their benefit and for God’s Glory, not for myself.  I’m not going to be reluctant to give, and I’m not going to demand equal treatment in return for my actions.  After all, Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” and “He loves a cheerful giver.”  Love radically.  Make someone’s day.  Even if you get nothing in return.  It’s not about you anyway; it’s about God.  And He always thinks you are worth it and blesses you abundantly, whether anyone else does or not.

A Wordy Kind of Love

After living in the Southwest for almost five months, I’ve noticed that people here seem to be a lot more open, honest, vocal, than where I grew up in Iowa.  It could just be grad school, but I think it’s more a part of the “laid-back culture.”  I find myself thinking, Wow, are we really talking about this?  Haha!

Honestly though, I love it.  I think it’s much easier to form relationships when you’re willing to express yourself, share your opinions, and simply be honest.  And there’s less fear of passive aggressiveness or manipulation – everyone just says what they think.  I suppose that could backfire (if speaking before thinking), but the groups I’ve found have been really accepting, not taking things too personally or judging, and it inspires in us confidence to just be who we are.

* * *

Recently, a lot of my friends have been looking into the “Five Love Languages” and taking the online quiz (http://www.5lovelanguages.com/) to see in which way they feel loved and show love to others.  If you’ve never heard of them, you should check out the website – I find it interesting!  Sometimes it can explain what things mean a lot to you, what things hurt, and the reasons behind some of your reactions.

The Five Love Languages are Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Physical Touch, Quality Time, and Receiving Gifts.  Just think- which one do you think makes you feel the most loved?  I love the little descriptions on the website – especially after you take the quiz and click “unsure of your results?” and it gives little scenarios – HA so true.  Anyway-

A few of my closest friends have Quality Time (QT) as their primary love language.  Awesome, right?  They feel loved just by spending time with people!  Every love language seems to have strengths and weaknesses, especially when interacting with others with different love languages.  For example, if someone cancels or reschedules plans with a QT person, that sometimes makes them feel unloved, unworthy of someone else’s time … even though it might’ve been nothing.  Or if you’re texting while hanging out with a QT friend and don’t give them your full attention, or if you invite lots of other people to come to the hang-out too, it might not show love to the QT person as much.

That’s just an example, because I have experienced some of those things firsthand.

Though QT and Physical Touch tied for a close second, my primary love language is Words of Affirmation.  Aka Words of Encouragement.  Compliments.  When I first took the quiz, I felt a tiny bit bad…. So I need people to tell me I’m nice or pretty or funny in order to feel loved?  Lame!  But I realized that every love language is good, and different, and that’s great!  For me, it means the WORLD if someone makes me a homemade card, or looks me in the eyes and tells me I performed well or am a good friend or something … I was that kid that LOVED yearbook-signing at the end of the school year, to see the funny memories and momentos from friends … but also to be built up, to feel valuable and loved.

I do absolutely LOVE quality time with friends.  That is the best!  But some of things I remember most are the words my friends and family have spoken to me.  Whether they mean it to be impactful or not, I remember the encouragement—just the other day, a friend said to me, “Yeah!  Anyone can come to these parties, and it’s totally fine if you join us-  people like you.”  Aww, really?!  My bus driver told me, “You are so bubbly, and you light up the room whenever you walk in!”  :)  A QT friend might think, Sweet!  Thanks! and move on.  But I remember the words.  Also, if I haven’t seen a friend in a long time, but they call me and we still have a great conversation and encourage each other, I typically feel great about our friendship, even if we haven’t physically seen each other in months.

Reversely, the way you receive love is also often the way you show it most to others.  I LOVE writing people thank-you notes or cheering people up when they’ve had a bad day. …or writing blog posts!...  Because words mean a lot to me, I LOVE encouraging my friends too.  I realized I often compliment people subconsciously – I guess that’s sort of how my brain and heart are wired.  A couple weeks ago at church, I took a spiritual gifts quiz, and “encourager” is actually one of my spiritual gifts too! – cool how that connects!  (See Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4.)

* * *

Yet here, my friend, is the drawback of feeding on words of affirmation.  (Like I said, I think every love language has a weakness.)  [Sidenote- it was eye-opening one time when my best high-school friend said, “I think our biggest strength can also be our greatest weakness.  I love getting real with people, opening up about the vulnerable stuff, but it’s also hard for me to open up with new people.  For you, you are incredible at encouraging other people, but then you also need encouragement/affirmation in return, right?”  Right!]

Two problems

1)       If I don’t get any words of encouragement for a while, maybe just because it doesn’t come up or something, sometimes I question if I’m doing the right thing or if I’m worth it or if people truly like me as a friend (don’t worry- I’m not usually that insecure, but sometimes it pops up!)  I always feel like I need reassurance before I can make a big decision … or even somewhat smaller ones.  “Mom, are you sure I should buy this shirt?  It’s kind of expensive…”  “I don’t know where I should go to college!  [So-and-so] said I should go [here] but [other so-and-so] said I shouldn’t…” --- Bottom line:  Sometimes I let other people’s words and opinions have too much value.  Or you know, non- Words of Aff people may spout something out that they don’t really mean, and it could hurt.  That hit me hard in middle school.  Now I’m a lot better at recognizing if they really mean it and brushing things off, and that’s only one person’s opinion anyway… hold that thought – I’ll come back to it.

2)      Second problem:  If someone gives me a basket-full of words of encouragement … sometimes my heart responds by saying, “I LIKE YOU!!!” … even if they don’t mean anything beyond a simple compliment, or if I don’t “like like” them as much as I like the act of being loved … which can apply to any love language BY the way…  People like attention.  It’s human nature.  If someone looks me in the eye and says, “Steph.  Wow, you’ve got this.  You’ve got a heart to teach kids, which is so cool.  Keep doing what you’re doing.”  I remember that.  Snapshot.  Hang it on the wall.  Ah “he likes me”! … but not necessarily…

Here’s the verdict, friends.  Words are great, and I’m so excited that encouraging can be both my love language and one of my spiritual gifts.  BUT I’ve learned, the hard way and the easy way, you can’t let other people define your worth.  For good or for bad!  And it’s not worth it to live your life just to please other people, or to get a good response from them.

How overwhelming that would be, to constantly fight to act just the right way in each situation, the way those certain people you’re around expect you to act in order to win their approval.  For what gain?  The world’s affirmation?  Obviously every friendship involves a little give and take, compromise, but don’t change who you truly are just to fit in or be built up by the people around you.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Matthew 16:26

As friends, we should also try to become aware of our friends’ love languages and show we care about them in ways that are meaningful to them, as well as ways that are meaningful to us.  I promise you it will bless you in return.  Make dinner for someone (acts of service), or call an old friend just to talk (QT).  Buy a loved one flowers for no reason (gifts), write an encouraging note on the fridge for your roommate (words), or give a hug (touch).  I LOVE that whenever we give of ourselves selflessly, especially to love another, we are blessed in return.  For us words of aff people, Ephesians 4:29 comes to mind … “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Don’t let harsh words or ignoring someone destroy a friendship.  Even if the statement, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is true for you, words can be powerful, so use them wisely.  :)

* * *

I have been thinking about writing this blog post for a long time.  God has revealed to me the pros and cons of my love language, with emphasis on the unfortunate connections between words of aff and people-pleasing.  My worth comes from God, not man.  I should not live to please people at the expense of not pleasing the one true God.  And you know what else?  My worth doesn’t even come from what I do or did or didn’t do; I am worth dying for, I am worth God’s time and love simply because He created me, He loves me, He died for me.  AND THAT SAME TRUTH IS TRUE FOR YOU TOO!  What a gift!!  Even if a friend betrays you, if someone never gives you an explanation for their wrong actions, if someone never apologizes or forgives you … you will be ok, you are loved, you are strengthened, and you can move forward, because the God who created the world AND every hair on your head loves you more than you could ever know and gives you a life with a particular purpose- one He trusts you to complete.  Will you accept His love and take His offer?  He has SO much LIFE to offer you, true life, the best you could have imagined, if you only give your trust to Him and let Him work in your life and heart.  He MADE your heart – He knows it perfectly and wants to bless you.  If that’s the case, why should anyone’s opinions of you matter more than God’s??  God wants to call you a beloved son or daughter of the King.  Will you let Him?

“So God created man in His own [perfect] image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. … God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” – Genesis 1:27, 31A

^ You are very good, just the way you are, just as God created you to be!  You are already worthy because God makes you worthy.  He made you worthy when He died in your place and now sees Christ and not your sin when He looks at you.  How amazing!  You don’t need people to tell you you are worthy.  It’s nice, but it shouldn’t become the idol that you live for.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?  Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

I wasn’t thinking of including this next verse, but I came across it when I was reading this morning, and I think it also connects to the danger of living only to please people:  “Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned.  I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions.  I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.” – 1 Samuel 15:24

A final passage on the power of words and the wildness of the “tongue” is in James 3:5-11.

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Conclusion.

Words, words, words … explains why I love blogging, word games (bananagrams is my friends’ and my latest obsession!), or why I have used up fifty prayer journals, or my need to document everything from daily highlights to to-do lists to weekly meals, or the reason my dumb-phone’s text-message inbox was always full … gotta save the nice or memorable ones!  Heehee.  Find out your love language, and then make the most of it!  Go LOVE!