Old Camper

by Macy Johnson

“Do not judge,

or you too will be judged.”

(Matthew 7:1 NIV)

 

I pulled our camper into the perfect site at Hard Labor Creek State Park, near Rutledge, Georgia. We were thrilled to have booked four nights at a promising campsite with sewer hookup and a charming view. I reserved it one year earlier to secure this particular site for our fifth camping trip to this park.

 

Monday and Tuesday delivered perfect weather and settings. All was well until 8:45 Wednesday morning. A strange sight caught our eyes when we peeked behind our window shade to the sounds of activity next door.

 

A Ford Explorer had parked in the site next to ours. Attached to it was a piece of camping equipment that resembled something from a junk pile. A passenger exited the SUV and opened the camper door to the sound of many barking dogs. Jeff and I tried to get our brains around the disturbance. Was it a dog kennel on wheels?

 

My God couldn’t possibly approve of that! Why would He allow our expectations to be shattered after we worked so hard to arrange a nice and peaceful vacation?

 

I stood by Jeff while he adjusted the sewer lines. One glance over at the old camper and I thought, “God doesn’t make mistakes. This situation must be from Him.” He taught me a lesson on humility and the acceptance of others. He knew who those people were and brought them next to us.

 

My judgmental, unkind attitude took a nosedive and I began to see our camping neighbors as children of God, created in His image for His glory. They were as welcome to the campground as we were.

 

I will seek to see God and His creation through His perfect eyes and not through my own. I hope you will, too!