The Campfire,by Cindy Swanson
a story for teen girls
Lacey Robertson absentmindedly tucked a long,silver-blonde strand of hair behind one ear and felt her body bounce involuntarily along with the church bus, whose shock absorbers had seen better days. All around her, young people were loudly singing, yelling and jostling each other with good-natured rowdiness. But she was an island of silence in the middle of their cheerful noise. Lacey had a lot to think about, and a lot to prepare herself for. Last night had been miraculous. As long as she lived, she would never forget the campfire service...would cherish the sense of God being so near she could reach out and touch Him...would hug to herself the memory of the night of her commitment to Him. "It won't be easy," the speaker had said. He was a young man, short and compactly built, not handsome really, but with eyes that were intense and visionary, words that were compelling. "We're on the mountain-top now--but how real will your decision be when you go back home?"
How real, indeed? That was what Lacey feared...
"You know, I'm not crazy about the idea of you going to this camp," her mother had fumed, even as she helped Lacey pack. She folded clothes with quick, efficient movements. "You're hanging around an awful lot with those...religious...kids."
"Mom, you make it sound like a dirty word," Lacey sighed, fishing her swimsuit out of a chaotic dresser drawer, folding it carelessly, and tossing it in her suitcase.
Her mom snatched it up and refolded it neatly, with an impatient grunt. Lacey paused to look at her. Sherry Robertson was only thirty-four years old, but something about her tired eyes, limp blonde hair and careworn face made her seem older. Still, there were traces of what must have been real beauty before life had handed her some rough blows--such as her husband walking out on her when Lacey was a baby. "I guess there are worse crowds you could be hanging out with," Sherry conceded, snapping the suitcase shut. She stretched wearily, leaned back against the floral wallpaper of Lacey's bedroom, folded her arms and eyed her daughter. "Just...don't come back from this camp some kind of wild-eyed fanatic. That's all I need--my only daughter being brainwashed by a cult!"
"Mom, pul-lease," Lacey retorted with a touch of whine in her voice. No use reminding her mom that the church, far from being a cult, was an established and respected part of their community.
Truth was, Lacey herself had been a bit apprehensive about the camp. She had gone to several of the church's services because a couple of girls had reached out to her, befriended her. She had been drawn in by the warmth and acceptance. But what would camp be like?
It was a pleasant surprise. Really fun--lots of games, sports, a generous dose of humor. But camp was also the place where Lacey had finally come to truly understand what everyone meant by "giving your heart to Christ." It had been so simple, yet so profound. As simple as praying a prayer and asking forgiveness. Yet as profound as instantly receiving that forgiveness,along with a new life. A bright new beginning. A new Friend who would never leave.
"Hey, you're being awfully quiet!" Brandy Craig plopped down on the bus seat beside her, offering an open bag of Twizzlers. "Everything OK?"
Lacey flashed a brilliant smile and accepted one of the gummy red sticks. "Better than OK. I'm just thinking about...well, telling people about...what I've done. Mainly my mom..."
"And Josh?"
Her expression turned serious. "Yeah. Josh."
*****
"Tell me again why you're going to this place?" Josh had said on a note of frustration, the night before she left for camp.
Lacey shrugged. "It's hard to explain. Brandy and Allyson have been really nice to me, and they really want me to go."
They were sitting in Josh's car on a country road that was one of his favorite places to park. Lacey herself had never really enjoyed those times. Sure, Josh had the ability to melt her with a kiss,but even his persistent urgency had never persuaded her to completely surrender control--and that had been a major problem in their relationship.
She stole a sidelong glance at him. He was so goodlooking. Thick, black hair, worn a little too long; a hoop ear-ring and scary-looking tattoo on his bicep that, along with his dark complexion and flashing brown eyes, gave him the look of a dangerous young pirate.
He had been the first guy who didn't seem to care that she wasn't from a well-off family, that she was the daughter of a struggling single mom who juggled two jobs to make ends meet. He had been the first and only guy to tell her he loved her.
"You haven't been the same since you started going to that church," he complained. "It's like you don't have time for me."
"Why don't you come with me? You'll like it--"
He cut her off midsentence with a harsh curse-word, slamming his hand against the steering wheel. "I don't want anything to do with a bunch of religious junk!"
*****
"Mom, I'm home!" Lacey dumped her suitcase in the apartment's entryway, but was met with silence. A note on the kitchen countertop held the scribbled message: "Had to work late. Missed you! Love, Mom."
Lacey grinned at the smiley-face drawing. Dirty dishes filled the sink, and there was dust an inch thick on the furniture. Not her mom's fault; when did Sherrie have time to clean house? And Lacey had never been one to help her; not without a hairy fight.
Well, she thought as nudged the dishes out of the way and filled the sink with hot, soapy water, there's no time like the present to make a change.
*****
The speaker had been right. It wasn't easy--no, it was impossible--to maintain a mountain-top experience back in the real world. There were days when she back-talked her mom and didn't feel like making the effort to read her Bible or pray. But her new Friend wasn't going away, and He very definitely was helping her change.
It was three weeks after camp that her mom took her out for a celebration meal at Chili's.
"Here's my news," Sherry said, the sparkle in her blue eyes melting years off her face. "I'm getting a major raise. I'm quitting my night job at Kroger's!"
"Mom, that's awesome!" Lacey reached across the table to grasp Sherry's hands, almost upending the tortilla chips and salsa in the process. "I'm so happy for you!"
Her mom nodded, smiling. "After all these years, to be finally getting ahead..." Her voice trailed off emotionally. She squeezed Lacey's hands in return. "And my baby girl...growing up so fast..."
"Hard to believe I'll be a senior next year."
Sherry looked at her daughter probingly. "You know something? You've changed. For the better. Religion must be good for you."
Lacey laughed delightedly. "It's not religion, Mom. It's Jesus."
*****(/p>
"Mom, you look beautiful!"
Sherry smiled tentatively, assessing her appearance in the full-length mirror. "Good enough for church?"
"Gorgeous." Lacey reached out to hug her mom impulsively. "I'm so glad you're coming to church with me!"
"Hmm...well, we'll see how it goes." Sherry grabbed the car keys, and they were out the door.
Josh was no longer a part of Lacey's life. Giving him up had been rough, but somehow she was emerging with an even stronger faith. She had good days and bad days, but never lost the assurance that Jesus would always be there for her.
The late September Sunday was bright and crisp with the promise of autumn. But as the car made its way toward the church, Lacey's thoughts were of a hot July night. A campfire surrounded by singing young people. And a commitment.
