Keys for a great summer

I love summer. Pools are opened, things slow down a little bit and it feels chill. The only thing I don’t like is that it’s too short and it goes too fast. I’m trying to maximize the moments I have with my family and take it all in. 

Summer is great because it gives us a different pace for quality time and fun memories. I hope we all maximize this season because we need it. 

I believe God wants us to make our days count and furthermore, he wants to give us success in them.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success.”

Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬-‭25‬

He has given us today, our job is to rejoice and be glad in it. This speaks to our posture toward God, ourselves and others. It also speaks to our attitude in what is happening around us and in us. With Jesus the glass is always half full and our outlook has hope.

But to have a great summer we must be intentional with what we’re doing. We have nine weeks to take advantage of it and with kids, it’s goes quick. 

So, here’s four keys to have a great summer. 

First, have a plan. 

Having a plan helps us maximize the time we have this summer. Know, I’m not suggesting everyday and every hour is planned, that’s too much. But I am speaking of looking ahead and planing a trip or two. Have a plan of fun stuff to do around the city and enjoy what’s going on.

This can be pool trips, going to the lake, museums, library’s, baseball games and more. These are things we can plan for to enjoy.

If we have a plan we can determine what our summer will be. If we don’t have a plan our summer will happen to us and be whatever. There’s something better than that.

Having a plan also gives us something to share with our family’s and friends so they can join us and be a part. 

I know for our family, our kids thrive when they know the plan.

So happy planning and take advantage of summer.

Second, make God the center of your plan.

This is huge because if we’re not intentional with God, our relationship with him will dwindle. When we’re intentional, we can thrive and grow closer to God.

This is especially true for summer. We have a limited amount of weeks and if you have kids in sports, there’s tournaments, travel, practices, camps and more. There’s always something so if we’re not focused on God, he will take a back seat.

My encouragement is, determine to be a church as much as possible. If you can’t make it in-person, watch online. Consider joining a summer group, and come to revival nights. These are ways to make God the center of your plan.

Summer is a great time for vacations but our faith in Jesus should never have a vacation. It’s a way of life. 

Third, make memories. 

This speaks to being in the moment with our family and friends. It’s unplugging the devices and enjoying each other. 

We like card games and watching movies together. What do you like doing? What ever that is, do it make memories. 

The point is to intentionally engage with those we love and make memories. This is a great time of the year to do this and the more memories we make, the more our hearts are opened to each other.

We must lead this or it won’t happen, especially with all the devices we have that distract us away from each other.

Fourth, serve others.

God created us to make a difference and when we serve others, we find this. It’s so important we serve others and get out of ourselves. 

When we live beyond ourselves we can grow past ourselves. 

I encourage you to serve at healing hands, on Sunday at City or find a need and fill it. Let God move through your acts of faith. Let him use you to make a difference. 

My kids are doing the internship at our church to give them an avenue of serving, learning and giving to something beyond themselves. 

What could you and your kids do?

Make a decision and go for it by serving others.

Our summers won’t be perfect and they go quick, but they can be amazing as we make them count intentionally.

Have a great summer and see you soon,

PD