A toddler walked into our office with a tee shirt that read ‘Take Me Someplace Fun.’ As my co-worker and I laughed, we nodded in approval…yes, we chimed, take us someplace fun, too!
I’ve been labeled as having a sanguine personality. My dad use to chuckle at me when he’d catch me, down on the floor, fooling around with my young sons. Just this morning, I caught our Student Pastor’s wife fooling around with her two small children. Watching her brought back such great memories of similar times with my boys. What a special treat it is, when we allow ourselves the time to enjoy God’s gifts.
I had a grandmother that was always looking for a fun time. During the summer, she and I would travel a couple of hours to stay at my Aunt’s beach house. Playing with my cousins all summer at the ocean’s edge was a lot of fun. Good memories.
My dad loved picnics and would travel at length to spread out a blanket of food at some scenic stop. When I was a mom of young children, we planned daily picnics one summer at area community playgrounds. Even today, if we find ourselves traveling past one of those playgrounds, we remember how much fun it was!
Get the picture? I think God wants us to enjoy the life He gave us. I’ve never heard God say, ‘You shall not have fun while living here on earth.’
I suggest that we have lost the art of having fun with our children and families. We’ve become such a litigious society and it seems like we all fear something. Life today seems to be more of a drag for most people I talk to. Is this what God intended for us? He created us. He loves us.
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
When I create something, it’s done out of love. Like when my sons ask me to create comfort foods from their past; or make a more recent popular request – pumpkin whoopee pies. All they have to do is ask me. Why? Because I love my sons and it gives me great pleasure to cook for them.
Take a minute and think of the blazing sunsets you’ve seen or the twinkling stars at night, the birds singing in the bright morning sun, children laughing, the smell of a fresh mowed lawn or the clean smell after a summer rain…all gifts from our loving Heavenly Father. He created all of this for us to enjoy. He loves us.
As summer kicks into gear and if God has blessed you with children, have fun with them. It doesn't have to cost money to enjoy time with one another. Unplug and have fun. Visit your local library and enjoy reading a book with your children. Take a walk and explore your surroundings. Or, take time to renew your mind and enjoy some quiet time alone with God; show them how they can do this too. Or, perhaps you’d like to climb a mountain or take a bicycle ride.
Whatever you do, remember to thank God for the gift of life. Thank Him for planting you in a country with freedoms that allow us to enjoy His great gifts.
Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Colossians 3:17)
And remember to pack a picnic. That would make my dad really happy.
Let’s pray. Lord, I know that we all have hurts going on in our lives. And I know that there is a time for everything; a season for every activity under heaven; a time to weep and a time to laugh. Please allow families a time to laugh. Bless those reading this post with good family memories this day, this summer. Show them how to keep the fun alive for themselves and with their children. Bless each of them this day. In Your Son’s strong name I pray. Amen
Until next time~
Blessings, Nancy
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