Training Camp was a week I will never forget. I am still processing the things I learned and the value in every word and prayer spoken over me. I felt so loved and cared for this week. Not only my being but the deep corners of my soul.
I want to express what I learned. I want the words to eloquently flow but to be honest I do not think that will happen yet. I still have a lot of things I have to sit on and process. But I did find love for God, others and myself this week in a bigger way than I ever have and it totally rocked my world.
11 things I learned at training camp:
1. I learned that God’s presence is a thing that is available whenever we ask for it. This may sound elementary to you but this is one thing I didn’t grasp before Camp. He wants to be involved in every part of our day through every possible mean.
2. I learned to listen. I learned to listen deeper to Him and to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I don’t always have to speak, I can just listen and reflect.
3. I learned to choose to love others. Community requires deep love for your fellow strugglers. A love that can see past the mess and the ugly parts of ones soul to see the beauty of those shortcomings in a whole new light.
4. I learned humility. Feedback is tough. Hearing your struggles said by another person is tougher but it’s humbling. You do not have it all together. Chill.
5. I learned I am always in need of grace and the river has abundance of it. Thankfully we all drown in his love, grace, and mercy daily. The river is never too shallow for our failures.
6. I learned not to defend myself but to reflect on what others share with me and see how He can fix it. Way harder than it seems. It’s crazy how much we try to defend our actions.
7. I learned to drop expectations. Seriously, why do we have them? Relax. Be brave. Don’t freak out. Just chill. It’ll all work out.
8. I learned that having the walls up against the things that hurt also puts up walls to the things that heal. That hits the soul. Guard your heart. But don’t allow it to become hard with the trails and tribulations of this world. May I always be broken with a soft heart towards others.
9. I learned to see the best in others even when they show me/tell me their worst. It’s so easy to love those who you think are great but when you see the true struggles they have and you still love them, that’s love from above.
10. I learned I can’t compare myself to others. One of my squad-mates on the first night made this very apparent to me and since then I have worked to drop that idea of comparison. We will never be able to get out of comparison if we look at others strengths with envy. God made us all different. Embrace it.
11. I learned that J-Squad and our training team is freakin’ good at loving deeply. Good at loving Jesus. Good at loving me. Good at loving each other. I have never had so many souls in one place looking out for the best interest of my soul. Asking me hard questions. Asking me how they can serve me better, and making me feel overwhelmed with joy for these next 11 months ahead of us.
Meet TEAM FREE TO BE:
Jesus is sooo soo good guys. Cheers to change and freedom ahead.
