Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/88

Contributor - Maria Wilts

Title - Meditation

Topic - Meditation

"Then God looked over all that He had made, and it was excellent in every way." Gen. 1:31

On warm summer evenings the Master Creator paints the heavens in vivid shades of saffron, orange and red, bathing the Shalom landscape in an aura of golden splendour. Everywhere crickets chirp in happy harmony. By the pond the bullfrogs never cease their plaintive croaking. High over head in the tip of a pine tree a silent owl gazes unblinkingly. In the tall dry grass, garter snakes slink with their reptile bellies on the cool earth. Numerous brightly hued birds - robins, meadow larks, gold finches and woodpeckers - enliven camp with their tweetering, trilling and churring as they offer their evening benediction. During the twilight hour, at the edge of a clearing, one may catch the fleeting glimpse of a graceful doe, head alert, white tail erect, guarding her tawny coloured fawn.

Beauty and colour are everywhere! The tall pines rustle in the warm breeze. Wild flowers buttercups, Queen Ann's lace, golden rod, daisies and columbine - present an ever changing riot of colours. Species of shrubs, some dark and shiny leafed, stand rank on rank with variously shaded paler petaled, courser cousins.

Throughout Shalom, sun burned faces and brown tanned bodies are actively engaged in play, worship and song. Brown, blue, or hazel eyed, with blond, brunette, or auburn locks, short, tall, fat, medium, or thinly built, all are accounted for. They laugh, they sing, they cry and dance. Through their direct exposure with nature they catch a glimpse of the magnitude of God's power. In their contacts with Christian counsellors and staff they, in a limited way, experience the infinite love of our heavenly Father. By daily emphasis in Bible study the campers are confronted with a God who not only loves them greatly as they are, but who loves them so much that He died for them. Each youth, in his or her own unique way catches the joy, the enchantment, the glory of being a child of the King!

As the Creator vividly paints the evening sky, so His mighty presence is indelibly imprinted on the lives of those who experience summer camp at Shalom.

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