Searching for the Party

Imagine the party of Jesus, searching under the bridges, alleys and in the ditches...places we dread to go and try to avoid while moving in/out of our daily routines.  Yet, Jesus asks us to search those places in preparation for the party, a kingdom party.   It's ironic we spend our lives practicing the "right" way to throw a party, making sure our etiquette is in place...well the other kind of party is what I experienced this week at camp.

Our family said Yes to attend a week of family camp called, Camp Celebration.  At the last minute, we said yes, but inside scared to death of what we might see.  Camp Celebration was a place of respite for all of us who feel unseen, misunderstood and left out.  For our children who are "patted on the head" and classified as cute. It's for our typical kiddos who live this life 24/7.  These children are often lonely and feel isolated in the way their family rolls.  Again the question, "why can't be just be normal."

Camp Celebration is decorated with the love of Jesus, staffed by hearts that don't pretend to know but offer service.  It's a journey from the moment you arrive to the moment you drive away, one week later.  It cannot be described; it is an experience.  You are able to see where blind eyes see; dance where lame legs dance; sing where voices, misunderstood, are in fact understood.  It's truly like no other experience.

First humility is a must. When you humble yourself and your will, you find respite awaits.  There is no shame or condemnation of how your family looks or survives this rugged life.  There is on the other hand, acceptance.  There is love.  You begin to hunger for the deep things within, things you forgot you could experience. You have face to face conversations about struggle with no etiquette-censored answers.  I know it's hard to see by reading my insufficient words.  So close your eyes, breathe and ask God to let you see.

You can nap.  You eat without children, with other adults while listening to music.  You have sweet laughter and cry among new friends.  You imagine the suffering being children with special needs; but it's adults too.  Fathers who suffer from disease or mamas who sit in wheelchairs while leading their families.  This camp is for all of us.  The funny part is those of us without obvious need are more broken than those who cannot walk, see, or talk.  We together gain strength from each other, inside God's arms.  The week's journey is seeing great laughter and not caving under life's details.

The story of the paralyzed man in modern day:  young teenage boys planning to play paintball up a mountain; one boy, confined to a wheelchair disappointed b/c his body didn't meet the requirements.  The other young men carried him up the mountain and together they played paintball.  You see carrying a friend to Jesus isn't usually through a roof-top, but walking the journey.  When the game of paintball arrives, you work out of love to bring your friend to the center of the game.  With splattered t-shirts, applause of heaven occurs.  A young man's disability becomes the catalyst for love to connect.

A glimpse of Jesus.