Ah, the lazy days of Summer! Or is it the busy days of Summer? As a kid I looked forward to Summer—no school, sleepovers, pool time, and rides in the back of my uncle’s old pickup truck. I loved to ride in the back and feel the breeze in my face, my hair blowing in the wind (no such thing as bad hair days back then!), waving to people in other vehicles as we rode along, and occasionally making funny faces at people. Those were the days! Things change so quickly. Twenty years later when I had my own kids, it was unlawful to ride in the back of a truck so they never got to experience that. Today I wouldn’t want to ride like that because of safety issues, not only due to accidents but because of what could happen when the truck was at a stop or someone who didn’t like you waving at them or whatever…you get the picture. Things are so much different today than they were 60 years ago when I was a kid. It’s so sad to think of all we’ve lost over the years.
As I think of the patriotic holidays we’ve just surpassed, I’m reminded of those freedoms that have gradually been taken away from us by laws, people, situations, and losses. Parents still have children but the things they have to face these days are so much different than what I had to face as a kid. I know I wasn’t prepared as well as I wish I had been for the working world, marriage, parenting, and life in general, but when I look at the world today, I’m thankful I grew up when and where I did. We are all facing a different world and it is many times a very unfriendly, intimidating world. That can eat away at our peace if we let it.
What does your Summer break look like? Catching up on those house projects? Playing chauffer to the kids’ activities? Family vacation on the go? Or a time of lying back, catching some rays of sun, playing Frisbee, catching lightning bugs, and grilling dogs and s’mores in the backyard? A break is supposed to be the opportunity to stop everything you are doing, step back, and do something different. Sure we have projects to work on, and kids need transportation to the pool and sports. Sure vacation sounds good, but if it’s a hurry-up-let’s-get-to-the-next-place kind of vacation, tensions may run high and plans go amok, leaving everyone exhausted and wishing they were back home. Make sure your Summer break includes a “stay-cation” not just to work around the house, but also to spend time with family and friends before the return to a busy Fall schedule. Take time to rest and allow your body to rejuvenate itself.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:
Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Psalm 37:7, KJV
Resting allows us to quiet ourselves before God and revives our minds, bodies, and spirits. I like what Got Questions says. Below is a partial quote. Go to the link to read the complete article.
Rest in the Lord is a frequently used expression in the Bible. When the psalmist says, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7, NKJV), he’s not talking about physical rest that involves taking a break from activity, relaxing, napping, or stopping to gather strength to continue or complete some physical undertaking. Rest in the Lord refers to a spiritual rest from confusion, worry, stress, useless human effort, and a break from all internal, external, mortal, and spiritual enemies.
The Hebrew word translated as “rest” means “to be at peace,” “to be still,” “to be quiet or calm.” In place of “rest in the Lord,” some Bible translations say, “Be still before the Lord” (ESV and NIV), “Be silent before the Lord” (CSB), “Surrender yourself to the Lord” (GW), and “Be still in the presence of the Lord” (NLT). These versions convey the essential idea that to rest and be at peace, one must dwell in the presence of the Lord, surrendered to His lordship.
from https://www.gotquestions.org/rest-in-the-Lord.html
So take at least some of your Summer Break to rest in the Lord and renew your relationship with Him which in turn will re-balance the rest of your life and keep that peace ever present in your life no matter what comes your way. Enjoy the Summer! (It’s not my favorite time of year! I can’t wait for Fall!)