Arcadian (adj.); idyllically innocent; simple and untroubled by fear or worry

"Miss Karissa, will you race me?"

This was a sentence that I must have heard a thousand times over the last week. And it was awesome!

I helped out with Vacation Bible Camp at my church this week... Over 65 elementary school aged kids attended. We played games, made crafts and praised Jesus!

The aforementioned statement came from several tiny, enthusiastic voices as we waited in line for the inflatable obstacle course. I went through the course over and over again... It is amazing how fast these children can move! Despite my legs being longer than theirs, they bounced their way through much faster than I knew was possible.

I agreed to help with Vacation Bible Camp knowing that I would be juggling four days of that, a part-time job, and school. I knew it would be a lot and would take a lot out of me, but I believe it was totally worth it. Every day I walked in to see these kids full of energy and excited to learn. They would come and ask if they could tell me their memory verse, want to read me their favorite Bible story and explain to me why it was important. Kids are shockingly honest. They lack a strong filter- and I love it! (Most of the time). This filter allows them to be open and honest.

It was incredibly humbling to work with these kids for a week. They taught me so much about patience, unconditional love, and true faith. Watching them raise their hands in worship to our Savior and their ready understanding the God is always with them, was eye-opening. It made me wonder when I stopped these behaviors myself.

When did I become so hesitant to release all my frustrations and heartaches? When did I stop avidly practicing Bible verses? When did I stop blurting out what I learned in church to the nearest person?

Don't get me wrong... I love the Lord! I am not doubting my faith or walking away. I simply realized that my faith has become quieter over the years. That, though I am passionate for Christ, I have more passion to give; I have more to offer and more that I can do to live for Him.

I challenge you, if you are a believer in Christ, to ask yourself when the last time it was that someone asked you why you are so happy? I ask you when was the last time you were the body of Christ on the move? It's common right now that we blend into society. We tend to adhere to what the world tells us is acceptable and right. We are influenced by the music of now and the television shows we watch- whether you like to believe it or not, it has an impact.

Much of the time, I find that we justify behaviors because of our circumstances. We justify pessimism because we had a bad day, or we didn't sleep well. We are okay with walking the line between right and wrong as long as it is satisfying for the moment. We allow sin in our lives based on the fact that others are doing it.

What is incredible about these kids, is that everything is black and white. These are the rules, and there's no gray area.

Their feelings bounce back at three times the speed of mine. They forgive so quickly and never stay down for very long. See, it's okay to be down. God gave us feelings. If he didn't want us to feel things, we would never love or care for one another. However, with immense good, there is always an opposite... meaning that when we have incredible days, we will also have miserable ones. It is up to us to determine how we will let those days affect us. We can choose to find the positive in even the most negative of times.

Additionally, kids recognize that they are not as strong as their parents... So when they can't life or can't reach something, who do they come running to for help? Their Parents or the nearest adult! What if I lived my life life that? What if I didn't try to tackle my problems on my own, and ran to Christ instead?

Vacation Bible Camp gave me an entirely new perspective... I desire faith that comes naturally. I desire a passionate faith that makes me jump up and down with joy. I desire faith like a child.

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17