The school year has ended and, in the ancient words we heard so often as children, "no more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks," applies now. Things haven't changed much. Children still look forward to sleeping late, swimming, sports of various kinds, other activities such as visiting a zoo or a museum or a park or taking a train ride or getting a tan or just plain resting, goofing off, enjoying life. Many are graduating this year from kindergarten ("Now I'll be with the big kids."); from primary grades to junior high ("Now I'll be with the bigger kids."); from junior high to high school ("Now I'll have more personal freedom."); from high school ("Now I'm going to work or go into the service and have a lot more time to celebrate with my friends."); or to college ("Now I'm preparing for a grown up life and will share experiences with classmates and room mates.") If you're an adult working in the business world or caring for a home, a vacation is a joyous event for you, too. It's wonderful to anticipate, prepare for and enjoy a vacation whether near or far.
One sure thing, however, if you're in school or college or if you're working in the grown up world, you do need a vacation, a time to rest the mind and the body in preparation for another year of study or work. The Hammonton Ministerium would like to point out, however, that while we all need a vacation (even your ministers and priests), there is no vacation from God. He's always there ready to hear from you at anytime in your day. And He's anxious to do so. It's nice to greet a new day with a word of praise to God. It's nice to ask His blessing at each meal. It's nice to thank Him at the end of each day. The great thing is - it's nice for Him too and He enjoys it. So, while you enjoy your vacation, don't forget Him. He doesn't forget you. We even suggest that it's not impossible but even commendable to spend 10 or 15 minutes each day of your vacation reading the Bible. There may be words there that touch your mind and heart, making your vacation even more enjoyable.
Have a wonderful and wonder filled vacation, a summer of sharing with your family and loved ones including God. May God's choicest blessings be with each one of you.