The following article first appeared in the Philmont Scout Ranch staff newsletter, The PhilNews, 2019 Issue 1.
Cyphers Mine convinced me to become a Catholic priest. True story. It was 13 years ago, and the crew I was advising was staying at Cyphers. I had not been there before, and I was really looking forward to the “Stomp.” We got in early, set up camp, and toured the mine. That’s when the providential moment came. It started to rain.
The staff invited me to the porch of their cabin. As I listened to the rain falling gently on the metal roof, someone took out a guitar, then a banjo appeared, and a harmonica. For the next hour, we just sat on that porch and sang songs while the rain dripped all around. It was one of the best hours of my life.
I remember thinking, “It really doesn’t take a lot of stuff to be happy.” Everything I needed I could carry on my back. I saw the simplicity of the little staff cabin, with candles for lights and wood stove. Sitting on that porch with nothing but the rain and some songs, I experienced true joy and peace.
As any Ranger will tell you, the secret to a good trek is often found not in the stuff you decide to take, but in the decision to leave unnecessary stuff behind. 13 years ago, I thought that I needed a lot of stuff to be happy. I knew that becoming a priest would mean leaving things behind, including plans I once had for my life. That day on the porch at Cyphers Mine convinced me that God wanted me to have abundant joy, and that it could be found not in holding on to more stuff, but in letting go.
What stuff do you need to let go of this summer? Do you keep seeking happiness in the same old ways, only to be left feeling unfulfilled? Maybe you need less, not more. If you empty out some room in your pack, you might be surprised how God fills it.
I’m so blessed to return to Philmont as a chaplain this summer. But I’m especially grateful to take the staff of Cyphers Mine out to their camp for Scatter. I haven’t been back in 13 years. The staff is different, but the incredible musical talent is still the same. Best of all, that front porch is still there for me. I hope you find yours this summer.