I’ve been trying to think if I have a moment at camp from this year, a conversation, a time, anything with a camper that sticks out.

There are pieces. Sitting with some LIT boys at lunch who were so polite and respectful to me sitting at a table.

A camper I’ve known for a few years asking if he could tell me Bible verses in Spanish and then being excited that yes I could understand him.

Sitting with my best $10 impulse purchase at target of manga blocks for 20+ minutes at the pool with a camper trying to build the creations on the paper.

Getting asked pre 8am to come to the boys cabins so I could sign a soccer ball. 

But, this year I think what I truly realized was the impact of consistently showing up.

I’ve been going to camp for 14 years. There are people who have showed up for 25+ years to camp. 

This year I was reminded that showing up matters.

Kids were able to get off busses at a new camp space and see people they knew. They were able to have grounding in an unfamiliar place.

(Though obviously the first thing a certain 11 yr old boy asked me wasn’t how I was but “Miss Meg how’s your cousin CG5?”- not my cousin but the kiddo of my cousin 😂)

Seeing them recognize and note people they’ve seen year after year.

Seeing them know people came back.

This year while telling my first Bible story I was talking to the kids about who I was and I realized I’ve been flying back to CA for camp for 9 years. 

I told the kids that. 

I don’t need recognition for flying, I just need the kids to know that the matter to me to get on a plane.

I will show up for them.

Again and again.

I will show up for the people I serve with.

Again and again.

Showing up for those kids matters to me. Because it changes something deeply.

Showing up rewrites DNA that tells them no one shows up. No one cares.

Even though for me; it’s one week (physically) a year. It still matters.

When those kids get off a bus and they see people who have shown up again and again.

It changes things.

I don’t know who you show up for or who shows up for you, but I need you to know how deeply it matters that you do.

I need you to know that your presence absolutely changes someone’s perception of their own self.

Your showing up MATTERS.

Whether you believe you bring something to the table or not.

Whether you say the “right” words or not.

You just choosing to show up shifts something.

So please, for all of us, for the one.

Show up.