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“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Jeremiah 29: 11
When I was in college, I decided to spend three summers working as a camp counselor for Luther Springs in Florida. I had never heard of this camp nor had I ever visited it, but I decided to go and take up this opportunity. These were some great summers filled with memories, growing in my faith, discerning my life plan, and making some really great friendships.
I hadn’t been back there since December 2013 for our Staff Reunion. I had always told myself, “one day I will make it back” and go visit but as life happens and moves forward-it ended up never happening. So when the ELCA Youth Gathering was cancelled for July 2022, I was bummed that we would not be able to attend but I was also excited to have others experience a week of service and fun at Luther Springs. To also experience a place that I had called home for those 3 summers and why it was one of my favorite places.
We partnered up with Epiphany Lutheran from Suwanee and took our youth down there for a week of service, faith, and anticipated new memories. I knew that people from my past time working at Luther Springs would be there, but I didn’t know who exactly would show up. I was greeted by Ms. Sarah, Operations Director, who gave me the biggest hug and told me, “Welcome home.” I got to hang out with Sue Mendenhall, Program Director, and several staff members who I had as campers when I previously worked there. Now those previous campers had become adults and I got to catch up with them about what has happened since we last saw each other.
But most importantly-I was at one of my favorite places that helped me become the person that I am today. I got to breathe and appreciate the peaceful scenery of God’s creation. This place also helped me grow in my faith too. At a time when I decided to just get a job for my summer break from college, God knew that I needed this place in my life as well as the people I connected with and experiences that I would go through.
As December is beginning and 2022 is getting closer to ending, I have been reflecting on this past year which is why the verse from Jeremiah 29: 11 reminds me to reflect on our past while also being able to experience new memories in the present. If the ELCA Youth Gathering cancellation hadn’t happened, we might have never got to attend Luther Springs together and who knows when I would have gotten to go back there to visit.
I hope that you get the chance to be reminded of your favorite place or maybe even get the opportunity to go there-you never know what you may experience.
Gracious God,
Thank you for these times to be reminded of our favorite places or even the places that we call home. Help us to be reminded and remember why they may be our favorite places. Be with us as we reflect on how we have experienced our growth and take the time to reflect on these other places we call home.
Amen.
Hillary Nelson
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