It is summer time; time to be laid back
and taking it easy. If you are like me work continues for the summer and
schedules for the kids continue. Days are longer and kids want more of
your after work time. Homework after school in the evening is replaced
with trips outside for bike riding, to the pool, and weekends filled with more
activities.
Where is the rest for parents and to have
a little of the relaxing and rejuvenation we had in our youth?
Our rest and rejuvenation is found in
God. Where do we start is the question?
I am going to start by reflecting on the past couple of Church
school lesson we have had at our church. The time frame of these events really caught
my attention. The
standard lessons for the past few Sundays have been coming from Ezra chapter 3
focusing on Restoring Joyful Worship, Restoring the Temple continuing later in chapter
6 Dedication of the Temple.
1. Restoring Joy( Ezra 3:1-7)
Sometimes we can
be our own worst enemy. Some people
suffer from the self-inflicted problem of filling their time with too many activities
as they try to have lives that are rewarding and fulfilling. They become stressed in their efforts to
complete the goals they have set. As the
old saying goes, they “confuse activity with accomplishment”. The concept of balance is the farthest from their
minds. Today is not January 1 but what
resolutions can you make today. In the scriptures
above in the 5th Month (about June or July some April or May) began
to gather, locate themselves in their ancestral land and villages to get serious
about the purpose of their journey and to come on one accord. This was a great
time to begin considering the rainy season was over and an excellent time to
begin work on the foundation of the temple.
Now is a
great time to take family stock of activities and refocus the family. School
will start soon, what will be the set school activities and family activities. Extra curricula activities are great but
should not consume the family.
2. Restoring Your Temple
After the two
months of taking stock and determining the common goals rebuilding can take
place. In the scripture it tells me that
construction for the temple should be complete on the first day of the seventh month
(Late September and early October). With a goal time in mind is easy to understand
why you must take the time to lay the foundation for restoring yourself and
your family.
How can you
restore your temple and your house hold?
·
Are
family dinner’s happening on a regular basis?
·
Can a
couple days in the gym be replaced with family bike rides or walks?
·
Can
one night of the week include family game night or a fun family movie?
·
Summer
is a great time to eat better and have a family garden.
How will you and your family celebrate the temple being restored? Remembering
“And all the people shouted, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation
of the house of the Lord was laid” Ezra3: 11b.
Laying the foundation take work be willing to put in the effort it will
pay off.
Find your rest in God alone. Psalm 62:1
Family time is all the time enjoy.
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