Love is Patient

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."                                                                                       

                                                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-7

These beautiful words from the "Love Chapter" got me through Oncology and Bleeding Disorders Week. I went into it expecting it to be hard on my emotions. Granted it was at times, but I had a great friend help me see that these kids are just the same as any other at Camp. They are just as special and just as beautiful. I should not have been so easy to....eh judge...about these campers. I was feeling sorry for them. Why? I have no idea. My friend knocked some sense into me and helped me see the truth. I'm glad she did too, because my week went so much better because of it. Thanks girl! : )
It was hard to hear about past campers who would not be returning or about those who were not doing well. Gloriously, all of my girls were in remission!!! Something I truly praise God for.
The week wasn't rough emotionally, but it was rough when it came to my job. Monday one of our girls went home because she was running a fever...we were very sad to see her go and what made it difficult was seeing her sister take it hard. We lost our leading counselor Tuesday morning because of sickness, then Wednesday night we lost another counselor who had to go to a wedding. So, that left me and another counselor to 4 girls...but then our camper that had left came back....so 5 girls. The other counselor I was with led an activity in the mornings so I was all alone Thursday! It wasn't too bad though...it truly tested my "counselor ability" haha. Luckily we had 4 volunteers who were absolutely amazing! Thanks girls!!! The week ended up being so fun and I'll never forget some of the precious memories.
Back to my above verse. I found myself remembering the words to these verses during certain situations while I was working. If a girl was grating on my nerves(never) I would remember that "Love is patient." If I felt like showing off that I was the only counselor I would remember "Love does not boast." If a camper would not listen to me I would remember "Love is not easily angered." 
I would pray these verses at night asking God to let me be patient with my girls, let me be kind no matter what. I did not want to envy the love campers had for other workers, I did not want to boast about my abilities, and I did not want to be prideful of anything(If I was wrong, I was wrong). I did not want to be rude to any camper/counselor/volunteer, I did not want my job to be something I used for personal gain, I did not want to get angry with a camper because they did something against me, I did not want to hold a past wrong against a camper/counselor/volunteer. I wanted to stray from the evil around me and find solace with my Lord. I needed to protect my campers, trust in God to get me and them through, hope in the Lord for their lives, and persevere through the hard week.
Trying my best to live out these verses day to day has made me such a better person and counselor. God threw this upon me and I'm so glad He did. I needed a wake up call to why I am really at Camp. It is to love. To love with all I have and to serve with all I have.
I can't wait to LOVE my kids this next week. Please pray that I will LOVE them the way Paul told the Corinthians to love. Like that of Christ.