Summer is really not here but it is getting close. The first day of summer is June 21, 2009. If you are a parent, because school is out you use the statement that the “summer is here”. This is not a true statement though. It is thirty days off. It is a part of our routine as a parent with a kid/kid’s in school to think that when school is out that the summer is here. Even though it is really spring. Why does it seem like we are trying to hurry things along? I noticed this spring that I was getting antsy when it started getting warmer and my yard and flowerbeds were still not fixed the way that I wanted them to be. Then one afternoon the Lord spoke to me and said, “that we barely were in the spring season and to calm my nerves”. I am a type A personality and maybe a little OCD…okay a lot. When things are out of place it irritates me to say the least. So, why am I talking about seasons and being in a hurry? If your summer is anything like mine it will be busy. What we need to figure out is how and when we need to do certain things. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT) There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.
Take a deep breath. Do you feel better? I hope so. Many times I am asked when ministering to people that are under lot of stress, “How do I keep my stress from making me explode?” My answer is the same that I teach children about dealing with tough situations or times when they feel like acting out, saying the wrong words, or wanting to punch someone. First things first, take a deep breath, possibly turn away for a moment and count to ten or twenty if you need to. Get your thoughts together, then speak or act and hopefully you won’t explode on someone or something. What does this have to do with time or timing you may ask? Everything! Think about your time. I figured out long ago that I bring more stress on myself than anyone else. I have been taught time and time again that I make my schedule. So why do I let others dictate it, even my kids? In the past we have had a calendar at the Thrift house that has all of our ministry obligations and the kids activities on it so we know where everyone is supposed to be and when. This makes life much easier. Lately, our calendar has been inoperable and things have been a little disorganized. I think I might go get our calendar worked out now so that I can get things back under control…The only thing about a calendar is that you have to work it. If you want it to work you have to make it work. It takes a little discipline. We are all capable of making it happen though. In the military we had five p’s that we used when dealing with time. They were…proper planning prevents poor performance. Makes sense to me. If you want things to operate in an orderly fashion be a proficient planner. I thought that I would just give you a little nugget to hopefully take some of the stress off of your daily living this summer.
A few other stress busters are spend time with God, read your Bible, let someone hold you accountable on your time, laugh more and laugh at yourself more. Proverbs 22:17 (MSG) tells us…A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. We have a lot going on at the church this summer. Our new series starts Sunday 06.07.09 it is titled “REFLECTIONS” and we will look at the four most important relationships that we should all have. I am very excited about this series and I hope that you will glean a lot out of it. Make it a point to bring someone new every week. Every Wednesday of the summer starting 06.03.07 our student ministry will be doing Cross & Towel. Cross & Towel is an opportunity to serve in some capacity (just as Jesus came to serve) in the morning and they hang out, go swimming or do something relational in the afternoon. Our children’s ministry is getting ready for Kid’s Aflame in June and VBS in July. There is a lot of work that goes in to these two events so if you would like to help in anyway please call the church (912.284.9066) and we would be glad to get you plugged in. Renee’ and I hope that you have a wonderful summer and please look at the church calendar and make as many events as you can.
Until all have heard,
Rodney
