Lessons from Camping

I consider myself a decent planner. I like to have a blue print for my days, for my trips, for my classroom- and yet if I have learned anything this summer it is that my best laid plans can be pointless as I have no control over the rest of the world (much to my  chagrin).

Case in point: our 4th of July Camping trip. I had spent weeks planning this trip, searching out campsites, planning meals, watching the weather channel to ensure perfect weather. We planned to leave on Thursday afternoon when Theresa finished work as I knew timing was everything. I had chosen a beautiful camp site tucked away north of Roslyn, Wa (yes that is where the filmed Northing Exposure), the only down side of the site was you could not reserve a spot, it was first come first serve. I knew it was a risk but I also knew it was worth it. So as we set out exactly at the appointed time (a minor miracle) I was hopeful for this well planned weekend. The drive went smoothly and we arrived at the site plenty early. The site was amazing, nestled on the banks of an alpine lake which was surrounded by beautiful mountains. It was breath taking, which is exactly what all the people who had beat us to this spot felt. As we wondered about hoping to find an open place to camp it became clear that we had missed our window of opportunity. It was full.  My heart broke and my attitude took a nose dive.  The most frustrating part, it was clear that we had missed getting the last site by about 30 minutes.  I was not pleased. Theresa, in her endless patience, tried to assure me we’d find a place to camp and it would be fine. I was not hearing that. Inwardly I spiraled into a place of self deprecation and anger.  I had worked so hard to plan this, I read all the online sites, I packed the car, prepared the food, I did all I could to make this weekend a great and much needed vacation and here we were driving away from paradise. As I turned my eyes to myself and quietly festered, Theresa drove us out toward some other site’s we’d seen on the drive. I was convinced they’d all be full (I am seriously a pain in the tail sometimes...) so I sat and sulked in the passenger seat. 

While I continued to focus on myself, Theresa eye spied an area that looked like a campground but had no signs to indicate that it was an actual camp site.  We pulled in to check it out and my spirits rose (not greatly as I am generally pretty selfish). We saw clear signs of a sanctioned campground (parking spots and fire pits) but no signs, no check in boards, no dumpsters, no picnic tables, no bathrooms. We found a couple opened spots with fire pits but were still quite confused. Was this a day use area? Was this a campground? Where are the bathrooms? I jumped out of the truck to lay claim to one of the open sites (over looking the river) and Theresa doubled back to get some information from other campers. It turns out this was a campground- first come first serve!  There were no bathrooms, no tables, no dumpsters, so it lacked the basic comforts most campers are looking for, but it did over look an amazing river and offer a quiet solitude that could not be passed up. The downside: pee in the woods for two days. The upside: no fee camping! 

With a humbled attitude and a new outlook on the weekend I adjusted to the new plan. Was this perfect, no, but it was pretty close. Beautiful view, solitude, a place to build a fire and time to relax, that’s all I was looking for anyway (Thanks T, for reminding me of that!)

As I sat drinking coffee (yes I take a coffee press when camping!) overlooking a beautiful river, I couldn’t help but be hit by the clear lesson here: just because I don’t get what I want doesn’t mean I won’t get what I need. I knew that the lake site would be amazing and it was want I wanted. I was convinced that anything less would be ruin the weekend and when we didn’t get it, I turned in to a selfish child.  Pouting because I didn’t get what I wanted, in my mind I would only be happy at that site- anything else wasn’t worth having. Now, do I believe that God ordained this river site for us? Honestly, no. I am not convinced that is how God works. I think God is more worried about my heart than my camp site.  I believe this was an opportunity for me figure out what really matters to me. 

What happens in life if we don’t get what we want? How do we react and what does that reflect about our priorities?  My pouting and surly attitude reflected my selfishness, my intrinsic belief that I need something, somewhere, someone to be content.  When Christ died on that cross, I received everything I would ever need, the chance to have an eternal relationship with God. His sacrifice gave me the thing I could not gain on my own- salvation. This is a perspective I easily loose, especially when my plans fail.  I am quick to forget in my pursuits of this life that all that really, eternally matters is Christ. Contentment comes form knowing regardless of the situation I have all I need because I have Christ. This world offers so many bright and shiny trinkets to take our eyes off of this truth. No campsite, no car, no house or job should ever be more important than my relationship with Christ.

Philippians 3:8

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”