Is School Out Yet!?!

It's that time of year again - SCHOOL'S ALMOST OUT! Right now (if you're in school) you can't wait for the torture to end. "When is school going to be done?"

Of course, summer break will be here, and then what? Are you prepared for summer or will it be a huge waste? Summer can be very busy, very boring, very exciting and even very dangerous if we are not prepared. So there are two big possibilities: you have a busy summer planned, or nothing planned. Each has its problems.

Let's say you have a full summer of activities like church camps, sports camps, trips, vacations, tryouts for this and that, competitions, baseball games, etc. etc. etc. Is this bad to be busy? Nope, being active keeps us from getting into trouble and keeps us focused. But focused on what? God wants us to prepare our hearts: to worship, to serve others, to grow in faith (by reading the Bible or giving), to spend time with other Christians, and to tell our friends about God. Are you planning time this summer to come to church? Are you planning to take a break from God this summer or will you find time to help someone during June, July or August?

Whether you have a lot to do this summer or nothing planned, PLAN NOW! Make a list (it can be short) of things you know God wants you to do over the next few months. Maybe it looks like this:
- Remind my family to come to church (maybe pick a different service each weekend)
- Get a book from the public library, church library or Christian book store that is inspirational and may help you know God a little more (or heck just read a book of the Bible)
- Pick one person or project you can do to help someone else - like mow the elderly neighbor's yard for free, or volunteer to help at church in VBS or summer ministry
- Pray and pray often
- Find ways to talk about God with others when you are busy in your summer activities. For example, at your baseball games and practices, invite anyone who would like to - to pray beforehand.

Your list may look very different. The point is to plan NOW before summer takes ahold of you. Pray about it for a week or two and ask God to help you prepare the summer as a way to honor God.

Don't forget - God created summer and everything else. Show God how much you appreciate it!