Summer Homework?

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

On our flight to California for a wedding last month, I sat next to a mom and her early elementary age daughter.  After we had boarded and before take off, the mom handed the daughter a little packet of summer homework she needed to finish.  Of course, the girl wasn’t too excited to do homework; it was summer after all, and she was on her way to a surprise that she was sure would be Disney World.

My first reaction was “What a mean mom!”  But after thinking about it a bit, my thinking changed to “What a wonderful mom!”  She cared enough about her daughter that she wanted her to keep up with what she had learned in the previous year so she could be prepared for the years of education ahead.

It also made me think about the importance of continuing to be connected to Jesus and His Church during the summer.  It is so easy to want to take a break.  After all, summer is time for vacation, baseball and softball, camping and time away.  We all need rest. And on that one weekend we have nothing going on, it is so easy to do nothing including attending worship.

Yet, without the regular practice of our faith - worship and Word - we waver, we lose sight of the One who is most important, and begin to fall into the bad habits of our sinful nature.  Our children learn that physical rest is more important than the spiritual rest and forgiveness we receive in Christ, and that other things are more important than Him.

As families we face busyness and the chaos it brings more than any other generation.  This busyness is often full of good things, yet even these good things are used by the evil one to slowly lead us away from our true hope found in Jesus.

I regularly remember the families of our congregation and community in my personal prayers and in our weekend prayers, that God would protect you and guide you each day, and that He would continue to draw you (and me) back to Himself, so the children are taught in every way the importance of remaining in Him not just now, but throughout life. 

Continue to enjoy this summer!  Continue to be connected to Jesus in worship and Word for strength and hope now and always!

​In His Peace,
Pastor Cory

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