Summer And Family Matters

Well, it pretty much (finally) feels like summer out there, and it looks like it, too! Every year around this time we get geared up for the warn weather, family outings, and long overdue rest and relaxation during the long days of summer. Now that school is out, more time can be spent getting know that pre-teen or teen wandering around the house in anonymity. Here are so fun activities that can completed with minimal efforts, but big results.

Visit your local forestation. Most local stations will arrange tours for kids. This is an exciting field trip for preschoolers (especially those who love playing with toy trucks) and school-age children alike. They'll love checking out the different fire trucks and meeting real live firefighters. Root for the home team. You don't have to have season tickets to get into local sporting events such as a minor-league baseball game or a local swim meet. Play capture the flag. You'll need six or more people and two pieces of fabric of different colors, cut into flags (one for each player). Using flour for the outline, divide your yard into two adjoining courts about 12" x 12" each. Divide into two teams; each person places a flag on the back line of his court. Starting from their flag line, players dash to the opposite side of the field and try to pick up a flag from the other team. If a player is tagged, he's out and must stand behind the opposing team's line of flags. If he captures a flag, he's safe and can return to his court. The team that captures all of the opposing side's flags first wins. Check out the stars, the one’s in the sky. Buy a star chart to get started. Then choose one spot in your yard that affords a clear view of the heavens, and venture out after dinner to watch how the night sky changes hour to hour and day to day. A little fresh air before bedtime can really help your kids sleep later too.

These are just a few ways to have some fun over the summer months. The main purpose of each of these activities is not just in having fun, but to spend time with one another. Although these are fun activities, the focus should be on family and enjoying each other. The bible reminds us in Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” This passage helps me understand relationships within the family, and the importance of establishing those meaningful bonds over the course of ones’ lifetime. So, this summer, spend time getting to know one another again. Chat with each other, love on one another, and be a family in every sense of the word. Ask silly questions, talk about family history and share time as family in prayer. Jesus said, “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven,” Mathew 18:19. By spending time in prayer you keep the lines of communication open between your family and the Lord, as well as those within the home. My prayer is that you all have a fantastic summer and that you are blessed beyond your dreams.