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Don’t Leave Home Without It

           Summer is quite the season. Sandwiched between spring and fall, this time is often very interesting. As a young boy growing up, I found summers long and full of fun but also abounding in hard work, as there was always work to do around the farm. As I’ve gotten older, summers are not long anymore, but at this juncture in life they still seem busy. At the moment, summers do not conjure up images of sitting in a lawn chair sipping lemonade.  I suspect that for many it’s the same, with summers full of activities. People go to the beach, the mountains, vacations west, north and in between. Summers mean school breaks for kids, summer jobs for college students, and hot days at work here in Virginia. Summers are full of Bible Schools, camps, celebrations and outdoor BBQs. Summers are also Sundays with fewer people at church. Fewer people at church? Almost every church I know experiences a downward trend during the summer months. The reason is families are away on vacations, and often people on vacation don’t attend church. Now, that in itself leads to several  interesting discussions.

· What goes on in our lives when we are on vacation?

· Is vacation a break from God?

· Where is God when I go on vacations?

· Where is He when I am far from home and out of my routine?

· Where is He when I’m lounging on the beach, watching a rodeo, or having a cook out?

· Where is God when I’m visiting with family and people I haven’t seen for years and staying out late at celebrations?

· What does God expect of us during summer vacations?

· Do we make room for God on our vacations?

        When we pack our suitcases, do we pack God… or do we leave Him at home?  Obviously, as Christians we don’t leave God anywhere, but my experience has been that when I’m on vacation it’s hard to find time for spiritual disciplines that I practice at home. A huge change from my usual routine tends to work against my walk with God.

It’s just a thought, but I would like to encourage all of us to take God on vacation with us. Invite Him along, include Him in your plans, as I’m sure He’d love to come.

      2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to him.”   This is one of my favorite verses and greatest prayers for myself. Summer vacations or not, let’s encourage each other to be faithful and loyal followers of Jesus… never leaving God at home.

Jesus.

Don’t leave home without it! 

Have a good summer!  Your pastor, Tim.

For questions or comments you may email the pastor at timbev2@yahoo.com or the webmaster at hffinc@i-c.net