When our children were young, we did a lot of camping. We began with a big tent, air mattresses and sleeping bags. It took one frigid weekend to send us to the sporting goods store to purchase cots! Once we were off the ground, camping became a much more enjoyable experience.

After a few years in the tent, we purchased a used pop-up camper. What luxury! It was so nice to be able to store things in the camper so that whenever we got ready to go on a trip, the essentials were already on board. It was also nice to stay really dry when the heavens opened up and rain poured down on us. No matter how careful we were in the tent, it always felt a bit like it was raining right through the canvas.

One of the things we liked to do was just stroll around the campgrounds and look at the other camp sites. It was interesting to see the way people "decorated". Nearly everyone had tablecloths for the picnic tables, comfortable chairs and an awning. However, there were some who just went "all out".

One such family looked as though they were all set for a very long stay. They had hanging plants, wind chimes, all sorts of pinwheels and pretty painted wooden decorations. The campsite itself looked like a little landscaped yard. They even had a little fence to decorate the edge. All in all it was quite charming. It looked like a warm, inviting place.






However, as you got closer there were little signs planted by the fence that changed the whole demeanor of the place. Ah....not quite so welcoming after all. It was rather disappointing . As we continued our walk past their campsite we passed one more little sign with the name of the family on it. "The Kinds" read the pretty little sign. We just laughed and laughed.


It has made me think a little bit about my life. I don't want to "put on a false front" - one that makes a great pretence of being loving and caring and yet puts up a "no trespassing" sign when there is someone who approaches me with a real need. I want to be all that Jesus would have me be.

Blessings,