Monday, June 26, 2017

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

The Al-Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

"I love the holidays, but I think my favorite time of year has to be the first two weeks of summer. During the final quarter of the school year, I'm in survival mode.  The schedule is insane, and our house is more of a place where we sleep and change clothes than a place where we actually reside, so things fall apart and I convince myself not to worry...summer's comin'.  Now it's here, and I wish I could push the pause button.
Summer mornings are the best.  Getting up two or three hours before the kiddos means I have time to think and plan without interruption.  This morning has me focused on VBS planning (thank God for Answers In Genesis and their amazing VBS curriculum), and Pilgrim Youth Camp Bible Bowl planning (that's where I'll be this time next week).
Last summer seems like just a couple of months ago, and I've been reflecting.  Somewhere in my 30's, I realized that life is really short.  If it is to be, it is up to me.  My dreams will never become reality unless I start now."

I wrote those words on June 9th, 2015.  Evidently, I was distracted and it became a draft that set untouched for almost two years.  Funny thing is, I opened the draft this morning not having a clue what was in it, and it reads as though I wrote it this morning.  I'm still here, preparing for next week's youth camp and next month's VBS.
This reminds me that life is full of routines and rituals.  Many of the things we do over and over aren't terribly exciting.  Some require a tremendous amount of effort.  Some become boring (did I just use that word?!), and sometimes change is good.  But many times God is honored through our faithfulness in the mundane.  So let's keep on plugging away, ok?  Whatever is on your plate this summer deserves your best.  That thing...the one you have been putting off...you know what it is, don't you?  You tackle that, and I'll be over here creating spreadsheets for Bible Bowl quiz points.  Let's get to it!