Moral compass

 My ears have been tuned into the frequent use of the metaphor "one's moral compass."  This is not a new metaphor, yet, recently I took pause to ponder it.

I worked two summers as Program Staff for the WPA Annual Conference Camping Program.  Prior to the start of the summer camping season, all program staff gathered at Wesley Woods for several days of training; instruction on the structure of the campig program and how a typical week would run were fine.  However, the majority of the training focused on outdoor skill sets in efforts to make us some kind of Wesleyan Wildnerness Scouts. I was fine with this having spent much time in the woods hiking, cooking out and camping.   

Then, the bar was raised and instruction focused on specifics such as orienteering and how to use a compass.  Seriously?  We weren't taking a group of elementary age children to the back woods where we'd need to build our own shelter, find clean water to drink, forage for berries and track, hunt and kill our own food.  Besides, my assignment was Camp Jumonville the largest of the three camps and the one often referred to as "the pavement palace."  

I paid close attention to the presentation on orienteering, that a compass is a magnet directed by the eath's poles...yadda, yadda, yadda.  Of course, this instruction was not concluded by a written test. Nope. We were asked to show our orienterring skill set by using a compass. 

We each were handed a compass and a series of coordinates and in static starts were sent out. 

After ten minutes of intense focus on my compass and following the provided coordinates, I stopped to look around.  No one....absolutely not one person...was anywhere near me. I looked further and off in the distance I saw the other counselors either gathered at the camp's chapel building (made sense the coordinates would lead there) or in various stages of soon to be arrived and with the others.

Not me. I was in the far reaches at the back of the camp, on the very border where the grabage was collected and the trash was thrown out. I was in the throw away zone.

At first, I took this as a negative and I was filled with self doubt and questioned my being selected for this job. The Program Staff interview process had over 150 applicants for 15 positions. I was in the last interview group on a long day of interviews. I knew not one person seated at the table who interviewed me. I thought it went OK, yet, also figured it was one of those "who you know" deals. Yet, I was hired. I was chosen.

At the first meeting of the Program Staff Trainig, the conference Camping Director said to us, "You may think you chose this. You may think your skills and charm put you here. I want you to know God has a reason for each of you being here."

I've remembered and held those words since they were first spoken. It was during my work as a Program Staff Camp Counselor that I receved the call to ministry. 

Thinking back on that orienteering lesson, I've come to see that my "moral compass" has always been directed to those on the margins, outside of the norm.  I am called to be with those on the edge of things, the easily labeled, the ignored, the thrown out and tossed away. 

KEEP LOOKING

 

One of the favorite games of childhood is to search and find. Be it HIDE-N-GO SEEK, SARDINES, HOT OR COLD, scavenger hunts these plays are timeless, seemingly universal in their appeal.

Three of the best known stories told by Jesus involve losing and finding. In LUKE 15 we listen to the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost person --- the prodigal child.

We can relate to the frustration and, depending on exactly what or who is lost, the fear. We get increasingly frantic in our search, we leaf through piles of paper, turn over books, crawthrough clutter, ask, "have you seen ____," and receive the familiar advice, "Well, where's the lst place you saw it or had it?"

Recently, the majority of articles I've read and conversations shared have further highlighted our current shared bleakness and brokenness. The effect on one's mental health and wellbeing and the status of one's spiritual outlook have really "taken it on the chin."

So, here's a challenge! (I hear you groaning your disapproval) It came to me during today's quiet time. In each conversation and encounter FIND THE GOODNESS.

When my sister bemoans her state and all that is wrong, listing many travails and troubles, I listen (for as long as I can...) and then I say, "OK, now tell me five good things, give me five positives."

This is a good exercie for all of us. 

Here's the challenge. Begining now, in each meeting with another as you listen and observe....FIND THE GOODNESS. Enter the encounter with a set intention to FIND THE GOODNESS.

Keep looking and continue listening until you find it. 

When found point it out, tell others about it.

Happy searching!

EVERYBODY IN!

 

Nearly 30 years ordained and I am still energized when officiating a baptism! 

To me, the sacrament of baptism is the very visible and tangible sign that proclaims EVERYBODY'S IN! As with the other United Methodist sacrament of communion, we re-member and we celebrate the gift of God's grace, free, always, for all.

The early baptisms I officiated left me scared and nervous. With the yards of lace and silk most infants wear for their big day, I was worried there would be slippage and droppage.  I literally placed my arms in the "holding baby position" and the parent placed said babe in my arms.  I tell you days prior, I would practice with a stuffed animal holding and reaching for water and pouring... going for a little muscle memory to kick in.

Each baptism is a total rush.  

I remember the baptism held on the Sunday folloiwng 9/11 --- a needed re-minder of hope and joy and possibilities for peace.  

I recall following one baptism being asked by the dad if I would bless the baby's teddy bear.  Of course!  I'm real big on blessings and, other than maybe someone's pet snake (although I probably would) will offer blessing upon blessing upon all and any situation and moment. By the way, this action is not only designated for the ordained.....we all can and should bless and bless and bless again;

I always use a seashell to perform the baptism, the shell is one I picked up on the beach (don't fret, I bleach and clean it) and following the baptim there is the required lap around the sanctuary so all the congreagants can "ooh and ahh" and the baby can be mesmorized by the lights. This tour also solidifies the promise made to the child by every one in attendance --- to care for, support, guard, defend; that's a promise each child claims that day and every day onward.  It's why I write out my baptism liturgy to include the name of the child so when the congregation makes their promise, the name of the child is spoken.  Heavy stuff not to be taken lightly.