Some of you might like cool autumn nights, sledding in the winter, or seeing flowers bloom in the spring, but summer is by far my favorite season. I'm a huge fan of the warmer weather, love that we have more family fun time, and I wholeheartedly welcome the change of work pace. During the summer, our kiddos participate in sports or art camps, we might travel somewhere fun, and I have more time to complete house projects and attend to other matters that need to be tackled. Although I'm looking forward to the different temperatures and weather conditions we might have in Heaven, I would be a happy man if Evansville had summer weather year-round!
Something we need to be careful about during the summer is getting sloppy with our time with Jesus. Most kids don't have daily Bible classes or monthly chapels or participate in regular biblically integrated lessons in the summer. If you're like the Wickershams, you might wake up a little later and have summer days that may often look different each day. We must ensure that we are all in the Word daily and that we have intentional conversations with our children about what they're experiencing and what God is teaching them. I also recommend having regular family devotions at dinnertime or before everyone goes to bed. Attending Vacation Bible School at a neighborhood church, serving at a local ministry such as the Evansville Rescue Mission, and signing up for Christian camps are other ways we can help children grow in God's grace and knowledge this summer.
All of this takes some planning, energy, and time, but it is SO WORTH IT. We're talking about helping our children understand who they are and how they are to live this life in a God-glorifying way. We have a responsibility and privilege to draw our children to Christ and show them how to be like Christ. What an amazing gift! It's unbelievable that God uses us to speak truth in love to our kids.
So, how will you disciple your children this summer? What opportunities will you give your children to encounter our living savior, Jesus Christ? God has given us a super special job, and I don't mean to be a downer, but our parenting days will be gone before you know it. Our lives are like a mist, and no day is guaranteed (James 4:14). Let's make the most of each day and enJOY the summer break, but don't take a summer break from Jesus!
to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:27
