For the setting up of tents and the lighting of the camp fire,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For the unceasing murmur of rivers and the cooling of feet therein,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For starry skies undimmed by city lights and the roasting of marshmallows for smores beneath those heavenly lights,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For deer glimpsed from afar and for chipmunks who come too close, attempting to steal our food,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For the calm that comes from being absent from technology and the striving of our everyday lives,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For heaven-pointing pines and an array of fragile wildflowers,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For long hikes and long naps while attempting to read long books,
We give thanks to the Lord.
For the discomfort of poor air mattresses, campstove food, always dirty hands, and buzzing, biting mosquitos,
We also give thanks to the Lord.
With beauty, we accept discomfort.
With simplicity, we accept our souls back to us.
With quiet, we accept the voice of the Lord.
Amen.