It's over...It's all over!

It is very hard to believe that our unofficial summer is almost over.  I know that officially summer doesn't end until sometime in September, but by all intents and purposes summer ends August 18th when school begins.  It seems like I just finished watching baseball and t-ball!  Yesterday was one of the rare Sundays we didn't have a lot going on so we took the opportunity to go for a walk/bike ride on the trails in Shelby.  After a treat at Casey's we went home and sat outside reading a book and watching the kids play with friends.  I don't think there is a better way to unwind and prepare for the "busy" season.  I was also reminded that we don't do that enough.
As I'm reflecting on my afternoon spent relaxing I'm also reminded of all the terrible things happening in the world around us.  First off I'm extremely grateful for the safety and freedom I have to be able to spend an afternoon doing as little as I want, and second I'm saddened by those that don't have that ability.  It doesn't take much time at all to watch or read some news and to start thinking that the world is falling to pieces.  From political gridlock at home here to planes being shot out of the sky in the Ukraine to schools being blown up in Gaza to natural disasters to you name it.  It seems like everything is falling apart around us doesn't it?  I've made it a point not to watch too much news unless Jon Stewart is on because he helps keep me sane!
Has God abandoned us to our own devices.  Is there no hope for the human race?  Are we reaping what we have sowed?  Is the second coming right around the corner?  I don't think so.  When I begin to think that things can't get much worse I remember an article I found once that listed all of the trouble people have lived through in the past.  The article broke down history into decades and then listed what happened.  Reading that article gives one some perspective...we've always lived in troubled times and we probably always will.  That's not to say the issues we face now aren't important, but they don't herald the end of the world.  I suppose what I'm trying to say is the world has always been screwed up and it probably always will be so we needn't worry to much.
Another good thing to remember is that no matter what happens God is in control.  God has a plan and God's plan is perfect.  Even though we may never fully understand God's plan, or even agree with it, it gives me, at least, a sense of peace knowing that through it all God is in control and one day it'll all work out.  No matter how loudly political foes scream at each other and no matter how nuts the rest of the world seems we can take heart in knowing there is a plan and the one in control of that plan knows a lot more than we do!  So what shall we do?  Have faith that things will work out and find ways to make a difference in our own little part of the world.  If we all did what we could in our own communities transformation wouldn't be far off.  We can't solve the worlds' problems on our own, but if we remain faithful and do what God calls us to do for our neighbors then we'll make our own little part of the world better and I believe that's all God asks.  So instead of burying your head in the sand, see how you can make a difference right in your own neighborhood.  And remember...God's got it!

Vacation is good!

What a great time we had on vacation.  We were able to spend some time with great friends and family.  It was the first time I had taken two Sundays in a row off and even though we were only gone ten days when we returned it felt like I had been gone forever.  We even survived a week with the sister-in-law and her 6 month old son!  He actually is a great baby and uncle's don't have to change diapers so all was grand.  Vacations are something that I think all of us need and probably don't get enough of.
One of the best things about vacations is they let you get away from the normal hectic routine of life and offer a chance to recharge and reset a little bit.  I don't think I knew how much I needed to get away and recharge until after I got back home and felt relaxed and rejuvenated.  Sometimes when you're in the rat race of life you don't realize the need to step back and step away for awhile until you get a chance to and enjoy it so much.  I know it's not realistic to be able to take multiple day vacations very often during the year, unless you're a pastor and only work one day a week, but I think it is vital to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being to get away and break the routine once in awhile.
Even if we can't take days off we still need to find time to feed our souls and regenerate our batteries if you will.  How each of us goes about doing that is different for each person.  Hopefully all of us know what feeds us and what recharges our soul.  Whether it be reading a good book, watching silly TV shows, playing catch with the kids, having coffee with friends, meditating, praying or whatever, we need to be diligent about carving out space to enjoy those times.  Sometimes we get so busy with life that our blinders are on and all we can think about is keeping our head above water and getting to the next task.  Well, if you're anything like me when that happens for very long you aren't a very nice person to be around.  When I neglect to take care of myself I find myself being grumpy and a general stick in the mud.  When that happens I need to find time to break the routine even if it is for only 15 or 30 minutes.  I know I need to recharge or my family is going to tie me up for awhile.
I get into trouble because I tend to think that making time for myself is selfish.  I tend to think that I should be all about others and that any time I spend only on myself is taking away from others.  Well, there has to be a balance.  Yes we can't be all about ourselves, but we won't do anyone much good if we run ourselves raged trying to be all things for all people.  Taking time to slow down, recharge, rejuvenate, and take a vacation is not selfish.  In fact I'd say it is vital to our well being.  By taking care of ourselves we are better able to take care of others around us.  So I challenge you to find time to break the routine, get away even if it's 30 minutes locked in your bathroom reading a favorite book, so you can nourish your soul  and keep from being run silly in the rat race of life.