Gearing up for Summer!

I don't know about you but I am ready to take the top off my Jeep, put on my shorts and flip flops and start the summer already. Summer for me is a time of excitement, and renewal. It is also the busiest time of the year, with camps, events, youth group outings, small group get togethers and Overflow meetings. But even in this busyness, I feel rejuvenated by being in the presence of God and his followers so often. It is a time for backyard BBQ's, Pool Parties, Campouts and Family Reunions. It is amazing how something as simple as sitting around a campfire in your own backyard watching the sun go down can bring a level of worship not to be found in the biggest church building in America. Being able to feel the warmth of the Sun while playing in the backyard, reminds me of the warmth that is offered by the Son that will never leave us. Summer allows me to remember that God wants us to enjoy ourselves. He is there when we are laughing and laughs with us. I just hope that this summer we can remember to ask Him to join us in the Party!

A Kids Life

This past week Jocelyn and I watched my brother's 4 kids, age 7, 5,4,and 2. My brother and his wife had a meeting with their accountant here in town and so we annually take care of their kids when they com up. Now I enjoy my life, the quiet time with just Jocelyn and I in the house, but Ill say that these kids enjoyed life and it is anything but quiet. We ran all over the house, played games, wrestled on our huge beanbag chair, played the Wii, read books and just generally had a great time. And one thing I noticed is that they never once worried about anything. The youngest one, Mary Ellen, who we lovingly call "Melon" since her 4 year old sister first called her that, wet her pants and mom had accidently forgotten to bring dry ones. So Jocelyn changed her diaper and the Melon simply ran around in just her shirt. Yet there was no worry, no shame, she was just enjoying being dry. When they wanted something to snack on, there was no worry about if we had something to eat and when they had to use the restroom, there was no worry about if the toilet worked. They simply enjoyed life and chose to trust that Aunt Josie and Uncle Ben would take care of them. I wonder, how much joy do we sacrifice because we worry? I love my nieces and nephews, but I am a sinful imperfect human being, how much more does our perfect holy heavenly Father love us?