This is by far, my favorite story to share about the power of the community and, the unconditional love of God.  It’s still so vivid to me, even 36 years later and, just as meaningful to me.

From time to time I was asked to lead week long Youth Leadership Camps where kids from around the Diocese who wanted to be Peer to Peer Ministers in their parishes came to get some training.  As the lead on the team, I was primarily the facilitator working with the planning team for months in advance.  It was an emotionally intensive week with a built in balance of play, group activities and a good deal of singing. 

Since the week long camps were designed for teen leaders, it was rare to have someone in the group who struggled with being a part of a team.  On this particular camp, a young girl seemed to refuse to connect with anyone.  In small groups, she rarely spoke up.  In large groups she sat alone.  I don’t recall her smiling at all throughout the first four days.  It was concerning for the team, but the decision was to let her be her.

On Thursday afternoon I gathered the entire group and gave them a task.  “Spend the next 45 minutes on your own; finding, buying, making some item that reflects the gift you see you are in your community.”  They all went away on their own and when the bell rang 45 minutes later, they gathered in a large circle.

I invited someone to begin and a chipper young lady volunteered. She held up a thimble of water. “I am this drop of water.  I have always felt I needed to be the whole ocean to be of use to the community but not believe even a drop of water can refresh someone who needs it.”  Everyone clapped.  A second young lady got up with a piece of cardboard of many colors.  “I am color.  I believe my gift is to bring the spectrum of light to anyone in darkness. I am color.”  More applause.

After several others got up and shared, it came down to our little stray.  She went to the center of the circle dragging a black bag and once there, dumped out a big pile of garbage. “I am garbage.”  she began.  “I don’t find anything in me that can be of any use to the community. It’s my truth.  I can’t deny it.”  She sat down and the room was cold and still.

After a few awkward moments the girl with the thimble got up and went to the pile of garbage in the center of the circle.  She rummaged around and find a piece of cotton string and held it up saying, “Thank you for sharing with us because I love to make candles and I think this piece of string will make a very good wick.”  Another got up and rummaged through the garbage and found a plastic pop bottle.  She held it up and said, “I too, thank you for sharing.  I like to make small flower pots and this will be perfect if I cut it in half.” One after another, each teen got up and found something they could use out of  our little friend’s garbage.  I sat in utter amazement and didn’t say a word.

On my way home from that week long camp I thought about that group and how they could understood what so many, many, many adults would never believe; with God, no one’s to be wasted. “No matter who you are, in the eyes of God there’s goodness to be found.”