The seasons are changing at Camp Cross
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; saying it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, and it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said the tree was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree’s life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
The seasons are changing at Camp Cross. As we look at its history and ministry we can each see life cycles that have been a part of its 84 years. At its core Camp Cross is good, solid and never changing. The outer layers do change, just as the seasons do; it is healthy and an important part of the life cycle.
Reflecting on the seasons, we are reminded again how important it is to look at the whole picture, the importance of each of the different seasons. The camp leaders are preparing for their sessions, prospective staff members anticipate the best season ever, and new docks are being built! There are good things in the works; all are visible signs of God’s New Creation. This is what we strive to live into everyday. It is keeping this in mind that I prepare for my transition out of Camp Cross as the Executive Director.
