As the summer has progressed along I reflect back on the good moments, the accomplishments, the experiences, the regrets, the hurt feelings, the realizations, and the bad moments. It has been a summer of mountain climbing and lots of selfish, bitter, attitudes at work. It’s a summer of visiting great places and not being as active as I would have liked to. This was a summer of craziness and laziness. I worked at one of the most visited National Parks in the U.S., this place is so easily assessable that anyone can visit! The president did and also the people who buy out all the XX-Large shirts. I had people from my hometown and all those cute little Asians that annoy because they want a bag for all the 50 items they purchased. I had angry Italians and sweet southern couples. But the ones that really stood out, in a positive way because there were a few people, that didn’t understand that vacation was to relax and not get angry because things aren’t going their way, that stood out a little negatively, are as follows:
1. Brady the 12 year old Boy Scout from Maryland. I met him one Sunday morning before our Blackwoods service started. He was sitting on a bench when we arrived to the campground. His head was down looking through a book I could tell was a Bible. I was intrigued by this boy so after we set everything up, I walked over and talked with him. After the general getting to know you stuff I asked what he was doing there and where his parents were. He said that he loved early mornings so he came to the amphitheater to read and that his parents and brother are still sleeping. This boy was such an encouragement to me to wake up early and spend time with God and to love Jesus on my own when everybody else is sleeping. On vacation this boy could’ve been sleeping, reading a comic book, playing video games, riding a bike, or listening to his mp3 but instead he chose to come to worship, with most people being 4 times his age, and love Jesus by himself!
2. A couple, who were here for almost an entire month, staying in Blackwoods, always coming in to see me at the gift shop to say hi and get a whoopie pie, and were regulars to our Sunday morning service. On their last Sunday in Acadia they gave the A Christian Ministry in the National Parks team a stack of cards to show their gratefulness for what we do and love for the ACMNP team. These cards were photos the man took and then pasted onto cardstock. Handmade and beautiful.
Also a Hawaiian elderly mother and middle-aged daughter came into the Jordan Pond Gift Store one day when I was feeling tired and annoyed and purchased some items. To hide my true feelings, I used a sarcastic friendly tone and speeded them on their way. The next day, to my surprise, they came again remembering who I was and thanking me for the help from the previous day. The daughter also said that Kayla was a very Hawaiian name, leading me to believe I’m destined to live in Hawaii. I checked out their items, chatted with them a little, and then sent them on their way feeling a little better about knowing this couple. Then the third and last day, they came into the store and headed straight for my register to hand me a small bag. The daughter is telling me that her hobby is jewelry making and that she was so grateful for my services and kindness that she gave me some earrings in return. I was floored by guilt, shock, and joy. I felt horrible because I hated them when I first met them, shock by such a surprise, and filled with joy from God’s blessing me through this couple. I was shown that using our gifts and hobbies God has given us to show others love is a huge blessing! God blessed me through people who used their skills for others.
3. And then there is Maxine. Most people I talk to in the gift shop I don’t remember the next time. I see almost a billion people a day and only a couple I can distinguish as being memorable. Well Maxine was one not so memorable. She put some things on hold with one of the staff, which is usually looked down upon by us because we like to think if you came to shop you would get it done in one trip. I saw Maxine’s name and thought about it for a while, nothing to deep but wondered who Maxine was. Luckily she came to my register later on and we got to talking, which I don’t remember anything about. Well the next day Maxine came back and put more stuff on hold with another person again and not remembering the previous day’s encounter very well I began thinking about her and wondering if it’s the same lady. To back up the story a little, before work that day I was reading a letter that a friend of mine sent. It was so encouraging just flowing with God’s love and guidance that it kind of bummed me out. This summer I haven’t been working hard on my spiritual relationship and I haven’t been thinking about God’s will in my life so I read this letter as a wakeup call to get back in gear! But first the shame and guilt seep in because I have been lazy with my relationship building and falling more into sinful actions (as you can tell from above my attitude has been annoyance and bitterness) then into turning from my feelings and running into love. So I was bummed at work thinking about my slacker-ness then Maxine walks up! We talk about life and she brought up the fact that I had told her my future plans the day before and then she says “Kayla, you know God loves you right. And there’s nothing you can do to walk away from that. He has plans for you!” I’m floored. She wasn’t pushing this on me like some crazies come in doing, repeating that we need to be saved and believe in Jesus and start repenting without hearing us out that we either don’t care or already know it. She just states this fact that I tell myself but am not truly sure I believe some days. I thank her in the midst of trying to stop tears from this encounter. I felt like she was a prophet sent to me that day with words I needed to hear THAT DAY!!!! If only I would listen to the spirit’s movements more, then I could be more encouraging to people and not so angry!
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