In our small group, the students spoke of such events as a safe place, as a place were they are accepted and welcomed. The retreat was a "no-judgement" zone in which they could be themselves and not face criticism.
I was particularly impressed by the comments of one young woman who said, "High school is hard." I could see in her eyes the emotion associated with that evaluation.
One of the ways I attempted to make my presence felt was to encourage them to carry the "retreat mindset" back home with them. To exists, in so far as they are able, in a "retreat bubble" in which they would avoid harsh comments and in which they could continue to practice acceptance and understanding.
But I know this is difficult to do. Even among the best of persons.
Martin Luther's explanation to the 8th commandment encourages us to "interpret our neighbor's actions in the kindest of ways." When we find ourselves inclined to criticize or poke fun, we are to pause and remember that the one of whom we are about to speak is also a beloved child of God.
This is a difficult thing to do. And, sadly, we too often fail. The sense of "being away from the real world" evaporates and we too quickly become like all the other kids at our school. But, surely, this is not what God would want us to do. God would want us to make every encounter a non-judgement encounter. And God would ask of us to see each of His children the way He sees them.
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