It is coming faster than we would think and not soon enough for kids in school! Summer is nearby, and that means a whole different kind of busy -ness for a lot of families. Vacations, camps, travels, and family reunions quickly fill up the calendar (if they haven ’t already)! Consider three ideas to help make God the focal point of your summer!
- Make God the purpose of your travels. Camping, visiting national parks, or even a really long drive gives great opportunity to marvel at God ’s beautiful creation and praise Him for it! Read Genesis 1 and consider all the wonderful works of His hands! Remember, the heavens declare His glory and handiwork (Psalm 19:1). How we can truly sing “How Great Thou Art” when we consider all His hands have made!
- Serve together. Although summers can be busy, there is a certain slowness and, as I am told, an intense heat that makes going outside miserable. Get on Lightpost and look at the prayer list. Write a card to someone on it! Have all the kids write a personal note. Make some cookies (or cookies and ice cream) and take it to someone as a “just because” gift of love. Joshua 24:15 speaks to serving the Lord as opposed to serving the idols of the Amorites in the Promised Land. What does that service look like practically? Would service to others be involved? Jesus would talk about service and love to others in Matthew 25:31 -46 and connect the two realities that godly, sacrificial service to others is service to God.
- Ask others for prayers. That is, ask others if you can pray for them. When you are at a restaurant and about to say a prayer for the meal, ask your waiter or waitress if you could pray for them about something. At those family reunions and camps, ask others what and who you can pray for. Consider friends from school this summer and ask what kinds of prayers they need. James 5:16 -18 teaches that prayer works. Paul charges us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17) and to “give thanks always and for everything and in all circumstances” (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thes. 5:18).
Be intentional this summer! It is coming quickly. Keep God in all your plans and think of practical ways to serve and encourage others. You may even begin to develop habits you take into the fall and beyond!
-L.S.
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